SillyDog701

[Antony]

SillyDog701 received following message from Netscape/AOL. Netscape is currently looking for testers for testing and providing information for new browsers.

Netscape is looking for some testers for a prototype of our new browser. Based on Firefox, the new browser incorporates several new features, enhanced UI, etc. If you or someone you know would like to test the software, please go to http://community.netscape.com/nscpbrowser and enter the registration code: [tt]prototype1104[/tt] to pre-register. The browser prototype will be available for download on November 30th.

Tester slots are limited, so get there soon.

-The Netscape Product Team



Yes, that's right, the new Netscape will be based on the popular Firefox. We can all join the community and help Netscape to design a browser we all want.

(Change post type to static as for [sdt=7991]Netscape Prototype 2[/sdt] released. Admin 7th Jan 2005)
locked, please use [sdt=7991]Netscape Prototype 2 thread[/sdt] for discussion

(unsticky by Admin, 11th Jan 2005)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.11

[Antony]

From the message I received, Netscape's new browser will be based on the popular browser - Firefox.

SillyDog701 and MozInfo701 will keep you informed with all the latest information from Netscape.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.11

[Don_HH2K]

I've been expecting them to do this for quite awhile now. After all, some people just don't need all that functionality. And plus, Firefox has a ton of features that App-suite doesn't have integrated.

Hopefully they'll keep this one updated, unlike the others. At the moment, the only reason I switched to Firefox was Secunia's records of calling Netscape "highly critical". Even if they don't, maybe this time I might actually be able to use the XPI installers for AIM and various other Netscape-branded components there are.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.2; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

[Antony]

Firefox vs Mozilla/Netscape is another debate.

Netscape is clearly not dead. Netscape is not just not releasing updates/patches as fast as Mozilla Foundations.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.11

[DJGM]

It's good to see that AOL is continuing to do something positive with Netscape as a browser, but . . .



. . . please tell me that ain't part of a screengrab for new Netscape browser they're planning!

It has to be said . . . if that's the default theme, it is absolutely, totally and utterly hideous!

If NS/AOL are going to based the new browser on Firefox, surely they can use a variation of
what is currently the default theme for Firefox, or failing that, the "FirefoxModern" theme.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.2) Gecko/20040804 Netscape/7.2 - DJGM.co.uk (ax)

[Antony]

. . . please tell me that ain't part of a screengrab for new Netscape browser they're planning!

It has to be said . . . if that's the default theme, it is absolutely, totally and utterly hideous!

I quite like that screenshot.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.11

[Don_HH2K]

I would have to agree with DJGM here. The default theme is a bit too, well, green, even if green is Netscape's corporate color. They can keep the light-green stylized menus if they want, but the rest of it is just a bit too much.

There are green-tinted Modern variations out there. I don't see why Netscape couldn't work from one of those instead...

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

[Al]

I think the theme is well too green and bloated. The icons look too "geeky"
EDIT: MozillaZine mentions MozInfo701!



(screenshot added by Admin)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041108 Mozilla Firefox/1.0

[beanboy89]

I also don't think that theme looks too good. As DJGM suggested, the Firefox default theme, or the FirefoxModern theme would be a better choice. Although remember, the theme could change for future releases.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

[Al]

I think Noia Lite or eXtreme would look better, or even Qute or someorbityellowNB

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041108 Mozilla Firefox/1.0

[Antony]

MozillaZine mentions MozInfo701!

They are quick

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.9

[Andrew T.]

What interesting news! I had sometimes wondered in the past what a Netscape browser based off of Mozilla Firefox would be like. Now, I will have a chance of finding out! I hope that Firefox's most important advantages over an integrated suite of Internet applications, such as performance and package size, will not be sacrificed in a Netscape incarnation.

What could the version number of this browser be: 8.0, perhaps? Or could Netscape possibly resurrect the old "Navigator" moniker to represent this standalone product?



As excited I am to learn about this product--and eager to see Netscape maintain or regain its position as an excellent, competitive, and up-to-date browser--I cannot say that I am enamored with the appearance of the browser theme shown in this screenshot, which to me looks more like an advertising banner than an actual application window with controls. But I assume that an alternative theme will be available: "Classic" as well as "Modern," anyone?

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win95; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

[Jeffredo]

It's really heartening to see Netscape using the latest and greatest in Gecko as the basis for a new browser. This is probably their best shot at recapturing some of the marketshare they lost to IE. Again, they need to keep it current plus push hard with the marketing.

I do hope they preload it with the Mozilla ActiveX plugin as they do with the Suite. I really miss the Windows Media Player compatibility on some sites when using Mozilla or Firefox.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

[Antony]

This Netscape Browser Review programme is a great opportunity for us to tell Netscape what we prefer and what we want to see in the coming Netscape.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/125.5 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.9

[Al]

I agree with Antony and Andrew.

spelling corrected by Admin.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041108 Mozilla Firefox/1.0