Netscape browser
Netscape is declared dead
Netscape was the first commercial web browser. It was released in 1994. Although Netscape is a commercial software, it also offers free versions that run on operating systems such as Unix, VMS, Macs, and Microsoft Windows. In April 1997, Microsoft began to launch the IE 4.0 series version. This version received almost rave reviews. Netscape, which also developed to 4.0, has been making rapid progress. However, Netscape's good days did not last forever. In the Windows 98 era, Microsoft came up with a sure-win trick and bundled IE with Windows 98 and provided it for free. At this time, IE gradually became better. Why buy a separate browser when it comes with the operating system? The vast majority of users had this idea. As a result, within a short period of time, Netscape's user base shrank rapidly and its market share dropped sharply. Netscape gradually lost its market share to competition from IE.
Faced with the powerful threat from Microsoft, Netscape decided in November 1998 to make the software free and make all program source codes public, focusing its main efforts on the commercial market. Almost before this measure could be implemented, Netscape was acquired by AOL. In 1998, AOL acquired Netscape for $4.2 billion. In 2003, the Mozilla Foundation separated from Netscape, with its former parent company AOL providing a $2 million parting gift.
December 28, 2007: Netscape developers announced that AOL (America Online Services) would cease development of their web browser on February 1, 2008, due to low market share.
Netscape development director, Tom Drapeau wrote: "AOL shifted its focus to the advertising network business, resulting in no more funds being invested in research and development, and the Netscape browser failed to reach users. Expectations in mind. "
Extended reading:http://blog.netscape.com/2007/12/28/end-of-support-for-netscape
Problems with Netscape
Netscape's 4.x series of browsers have poor support for CSS and do not support XML.
After 4.0, Netscape spent nearly three and a half years developing its next generation browser. The delay significantly reduced Netscape's chances of monopolizing the browser market.
Netscape Versions
Netscape Navigator 9 - Released in 2007.
Netscape 8 - Released in 2006.
Netscape 7 - Released in 2002.
Netscape 6 - Released in 2000. Supports CSS and XML.
Netscape 5 - Netscape skips version 5.
Netscape Communicator 4 - Released in 1997.
Netscape Navigator 3 - Released in 1996.
Netscape Navigator 2 - Released in 1996.
Netscape 1 - Released in 1994.
