ITinfo: Netscape Communicator 5.0: Lean & Mean

Netscape Communicator 5.0

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Netscape Communicator 5.0: Lean & Mean

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

In some surveys Netscape Communicator has from an 87% share in 1996 to a as low as a 36% share; Microsoft's Internet Explorer has picked up the slack.

In IT circles, the numbers are still much closer: 50% of users prefer Netscape, 47% use MSIE, and Opera picks up the remaining 3%.

But still, Netscape's browser isn't the overwhelming powerhouse it once was. If Netscape officials have anything to say about it, that's about to change.

Netscape confirms that Communicator 5.0 will support Extensible User Interface Language, or XUL (see related article below).

And the program's gone on a diet: it will still include a browser, email client, and a website editor. But the total file size will be less than 5 MB. The smaller size and the new Gecko 4MB rendering engine will make web pages load up to 20% faster. (And remember, Netscape's current browser is already faster than MSIE on most webpages!).

Web developers complain that MSIE doesn't follow accepted standards well. Netscape officials promise complete compliance with W3C standards for XML, Document Object Model, HTML 4.0, Cascading Style Sheets, and Resource Description Framework.

And good news for users who move around once in a while: Netscape is working with Nokia and Intel on an open standards-based browser for an Internet appliance and other form factors such as handhelds and digital phones.

Call for Comments

Ok, so will you give Netscape Communicator a second chance with the new version 5.0? Or are you totally jumping ship and running away to MSIE? Leave your comments on the message center.

New W3C Specification Allows Mixing XML & HTML
Netscape
Message Center

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updated November 25, 1999
http://dgl.com/itinfo/1999/it991125.html