New Netscape embraces Firefox, IE

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IE. Instead, it takes advantage of the IE version installed with most Windows operating systems to let people view specific pages in IE by selecting a drop-down menu option. Users also can opt to browse with IE by default.

The prototype works only with Windows. Netscape has yet to decide whether it will support other operating systems in future releases, said the source close to the browser project.

New browser features
Features brought to the fore in the new Netscape browser include tabs, which open on the first installation of the software and absorb pop-up windows if users don't opt to block them. Starting up the browser also prompts people to use the browser's "Form Fill" application, which lets them store information frequently requested by Web forms.

"What this release allows us to do is offer the compatibility of having IE if Web sites are optimized for IE, but it also allows the user to have the control and security of Mozilla browsers."

--source close to
browser effort

The new browser's customizable interface uses Firefox's RSS (Really Simple Syndication) capabilities to scroll news headlines or stock tickers in the browser's toolbar.

Netscape provided a prototype copy to CNET News.com, but a representative declined to comment on its release, when the final version was expected, how it would be named and numbered, or when the related Netscape portal redesign would launch.

Mozilla said it welcomed the release, which is based on pre-1.0 versions of Firefox. The final release of the new Netscape browser will be based on Firefox 1.0.

One leader in the Mozilla effort defended Firefox against Netscape's claim that it was geared toward more advanced users, and that features built into the new Netscape browser required the installation of plug-ins and extensions to work with Firefox.

"There are trade-offs you can make in constructing a browser," said Chris Hofmann, director of engineering for Mozilla. "Firefox has made a number of them so that you can still have a small download."

Among the 159 extensions posted to the Firefox extension site--a site published in its test or "beta" version--is one that lets Firefox users view sites in IE, just as the new Netscape does.

A tit-for-tat extension lets IE users view pages in Firefox.

Few worries for Microsoft
Microsoft welcomed the news that Netscape would be letting people browse with IE and said it fit with the company's vision of IE as a software development platform.

I still use IE because I haven't been sufficiently charmed by the magic of Firefox, but this "two-fer" might just get me.
--Christopher Hall

"We are very pleased to see a vibrant ecosystem involving hundreds of partners and independent software vendors continue to develop on the IE platform," Microsoft said in a statement. "The applications they are building deliver some of the most popular browser features and add-ons for customers to download and enjoy today."

One analyst said Netscape might be on the right track with the hybrid engine approach, but cautioned that it could also be targeting a very small sliver of the market.

"They must be trying the 'best of both worlds' strategy," said Ross Rubin, analyst with the NPD Group in New York City. "Sometimes that works, like when Sony supported both 'dash' and 'plus' DVD rewriteable formats. But if you're willing to put up with IE's security weaknesses for the sake of compatibility, that diminishes the motivation to switch."

"I know of another browser that can switch into IE mode," Rubin added. "It's called Internet Explorer."

Sources close to the Netscape browser responded that the default Gecko setting would not expose surfers to IE-based traps and vulnerabilities.

They also said, responding to a report by BetaNews, that much of the development work on the new Netscape browser was done by Canadian software company Mercurial Communications, and that future versions of the browser would bring in development by other technology partners.

[Christopher Hall]

Hey there, good lookin'

That's pretty sexy. I still use IE because I haven't been sufficiently charmed by the magic of Firefox, but this "two-fer" might just get me.

How does it work, though? Do you just open other windows or what? I like the concept, but I'm not sure how it's executed.

how the IE option works

Good question--thanks for asking it! I've asked that the story be updated to clarify that the prototype lets people view specific pages in IE by selecting a drop-down menu option. Users also can opt to browse with IE by default.

[Ubber geek]

How does it work

http://www.analogstereo.com/vacuum/commercial_vacuum_sealer.htm

[Jeff Putz]

You can pop IE into any app

This isn't really news. IE exists as a COM object you can plop into any Windows app with a few lines of code.

Yeah, but Firefox doesn't...

Sure IE is available as a COM object but Firefox doesn't take advantage of this option to make a seemless IE engine browsing experience for users. This is major news because no other company provides a dual-engine browser.

[Lite Rocker]

Why hype what hasn't been released?

I don't understand all the hype over a "new" Netscape browser, albeit one based on a pre-release version of Firefox.

Good luck eating Firefox and MSFT's dust!!!

Why Netscape Still Doesn't Get It

Just downloaded and tested the new browser:
- MSN Browser tried this earlier with little success
- too many buttons
- the UI is much too "busy" for a browser, think opera on steroids
- too complex to configure
- placement of menus nonstandard
- tab buttons are too narrow while other buttons are too big (the UI isn't efficient and smacks of an amateur UI designer)

My advice:
Use Firefox instead and simply use the "View with IE" extension as needed

[hion2000]

I agree

Just look at Netscape 6. They still don't realize that more doesn't always mean better.

And how the hell can they combine both Gecko and the Trident rendering engines? Gecko renders HTML/CSS right and Trident doesn't render many common CSS properties correctly.

[Earl Benser]

Sorry, AOL...

...but the AOL web service ia a garbage collection, and Netscape
and IE are both historic losers for multiple reasons. In fact, I
wouldn't ever use anything based on IE - it's a chicken wire sieve
for viruses, etc. plus being a low quality browser at its best.

So save your breath, and just go play with yourself. Anything
AOL, and Netscape and IE, are permanently stripped from my
computers.

[Christopher Hall]

A virus seive?

Earl, how many viruses have you gotten through IE? I've been using it for about five years now without changing and I have yet to get any viruses through my various internetting experiences. Am I doing something different from the rest of the general population? Perhaps my computers just have really good immune systems (computer strong like bear)?

[Ubber geek]

save your breath

http://www.analogstereo.com/vacuum/miele_s5210_vacuum.htm

[emmguyot]

What about Maxthon

I'm really surprised that, first when Firefox has been launched and now that Netscape is set to release its new Navigator, there is no mention about Maxthon.
I've used MyIE2 and now Maxthon for a long time and it covers each feature that Firefox and Netscape have.
Everyone seem to discover a "new world" whereas is exists for a while...

Please check http://www.maxthon.com

That is a shell of IE

It is just a pretty covering over a rotting core. Why should it be mentioned?

Maxthon coverage

Thanks for the point about Maxthon. FYI, we've covered that software in two recent stories:

* Piggyback developers in a bind over IE ? October 7, 2004
* IE gaps that need to be plugged ? September 30, 2004

[CoachWT]

Maxthon is better than Netscape and Firefox

Any one that has used Maxthon, Netscape and Firefox understands which is the best browser available ... Maxthon

[Mendz]

This is good news!!!

I think there is no problem at all adding new and more browser brands. More choices call for these companies to compete. Competition drives these companies to innovate. And innovation makes life better.

Maybe some brands would get it and some simply won't. But with the great number of Internet users around the world (and still growing), they're sure to get their share of the market.

Not everyone likes monopoly. Not everyone likes to stick to one brand all the time. So the growing choices is simply healthy (technology and business wise).

[jtea84]

What about Deepnet?

I have tried Deepnet and I will blow away IE & Netscape. Still waiting for that December 1 release of that Browser. Hate that beta version.

November 22, 2004
http://news.com.com/Browser+promises+to+fend+off+phishers/2100-1029_3-5462928.html

Deepnet story

Thanks Justin. We now have a story up about the Deepnet Explorer 1.3 release:

http://news.com.com/New+browser+sniffs+out+phishy+sites/2100-1029_3-5473252.html

[Fray9]

Problem with Deepnet

The problem with Deepnet is that its still just an interface attached to the IE engine.. its not better than IE it ~IS~ Internet Explorer and is vulnerable to all the security problems IE is currently experiencing.

While Ill admit it is a very well designed interface with lots of neat features, I dont see anything there that Firefox cant do with much smaller one-click plugin extensions that take up far less resources.

Extension comparison is totally wrong

The article says an extension is available for Firefox that provides the same IE viewing functionality. This is totally wrong. Firefox has a "View in IE" extension that launches IE as a separate process with the current URL. The Netscape prototype has a "Display in IE" menu item that uses the IE engine to display the page within the same process and UI. The Netscape version appears to be a much cleaner and streamlined implementation to provide a better user experience.

It was extremely inappropriate for the author to make the incorrect analysis implying they are the same. They're not even close.

[Ubber geek]

current URL

http://www.analogstereo.com/vacuum/miele_solaristurboplus.htm

[noodles57]

Firefox = IE

Through some research and trouble shooting, I've found out that your newest version of Netscape with Firefox technology uses shared Internet Explorer technology!

Why would Netscape suddenly open themselves up to browser hijacking much to the way IE has been susceptible to? I've been a faithful Netscape user since it was developed but now I won't even install the latest version!

I first found out something was suspicious when after installing ver 8 it crashed and asked if I wanted to send an alert to Microsoft. The latest tip off was when I could not change the homepage due to a browser hijacker. The registry would keep resetting even after I edited it. This is how IE responds. After uninstalling ver 8 and installing 7.2 things were back to normal.

Are the techs at Netscape even aware of these things? I can provide you more details about this if you are interested.

[e-mail]