Netscape has just released an update of the preview of the new Communicator browser suite. The company dropped the name Communicator from the suite; now the entire suite is simply called Netscape. But the real surprise is that the company decided to skip the next point upgrade for the Communicator 4.x browser and email clients and head straight to version 6. Now, the big question is whether the jump in version number will mean a jump over Netscape's main competitor, Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Netscape 6 PR2's hot new features:
1. Sends and receives Netscape WebMail account to and from Netscape's Messenger email program.
2. Comes with new designer skins, called Themes, to customize Netscape's look and feel.
3. Saves all your Web passwords in one encrypted file on your PC, so they're protected from intruders.
Netscape certainly has a fighting chance. For this release, the company rebuilt its browser's engine from the ground up with help from Mozilla, a project aimed at creating an open-source upgrade for the Netscape Communicator 4.x browser and email clients. Consequently, version 6 is smaller and appears to run faster than its predecessors. But you'll have to read the rest of CNET's sneak peek to get the full scoop on Netscape 6 Preview Release 2.
Note: This download uses a "smart" installer; after downloading the small installer file to your desktop, you can choose between a Typical and a Complete Netscape installation.
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CNET User Opinions
55% 45% (813 votes)
Would you recommend this product? Yes No
tenpinroller
"TRASH (even for a beta release)"
Slow and glitchy. Shows page done while still downloading in the background? Browser seemed to slow down the more you used it. Whould not run java on all sites (ie applets on ESPN.com) Glad to see an uninstaller with this version, although you still have to go in and uninstall net2phone, Japaneese Lang Support, and Java support seperately. If their biggest boast is you can choose skins, then as with many other items that comes in different colors, it's a pretty piece of junk.
SFD, sfd@sfdteam2g.zzn.com
"Looking for an I.E. alternative? Here it is!"
I never really was a fan of Netscape until they released the 4.x line of browsers and I knew they had a fighting chance. Now with Mozilla open-source project behind it, great new features and customability, this browser is climbing the ladder. Although a little slow and resource hungry, it will be a contender.
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Quick Facts
Company: Netscape Communications Corp.
Date added: August 8, 2000
File size: 257K
Approx. download time: about 1 min. at 28.8 kbps
Downloads: 428,013
License: Free
Minimum requirements: 486/133, Windows 95/98/NT (3.5.1 with 32MB RAM, 4.0 or 2000 with 48MB RAM)
