Latest Netscape Browser Combines Best Of IE, Firefox

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AlbertPacino

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Out Thursday, Netscape 8.0 also lets users choose AskJeeves, and AOL says it is in talks with Yahoo as well.

Netscape also switches the placement of the boxes into which users type in search terms and Web addresses. Recognizing the growing use of search for navigation, the search box now has the more prominent spot on the left.

IE remains the dominant browser, but many users complain of its numerous security vulnerabilities and lack of modern features like tabbed browsing, which lets you visit multiple Web sites without opening multiple browser windows.

Firefox addresses those issues, but some sites won't work because they're tailored for IE. The new Netscape, which is only available for Windows PCs, addresses that quandary.

It displays most sites using a Firefox engine that's embedded in Netscape's software. But, when it deems a site relatively safe, it uses the IE software engine that is built into Windows.

Source

netscape.com
 
I read download.com's review of Netscape 8.0 here and found that NS8 is mostly bloatware built around the FireFox engine.

Jumping tracks a bit, this latest version of Netscape builds on the more refined codebase of Mozilla Firefox, rather than the full-scale Mozilla browser, on which prior versions of Netscape were based. The snappy, airbrushed interface is a nice touch, although it can get slightly cluttered with Netscape's forays into content, which the Firefox team eschews. For example, Netscape comes preloaded with News, Weather, and Webmail buttons right over the browser window. Netscape offers the full array of features we like in Firefox, such as tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and RSS reading. It also brings in a more robust form filler, which includes a password database.

One of the most interesting aspects of this browser is it includes an Internet Explorer (IE) mode, meaning if a page is tagged to be viewed in IE, Netscape will render it using the IE engine, but still display the page within its own browser window. Reflecting its AOL corporate ties, the sidebar feature includes AOL Instant Messenger integration. Unlike Firefox, you can't customize the integrated search box, which is set to Netscape. We found the URL field a bit short to be practical, which may reflect the fact this browser is not really intended for people who type Internet addresses.
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Devoted Firefox users may give this a look, then go back to their favorite browser, but there are many features here that should give IE users a compelling reason to switch.
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Yes, compelling for IE users but not at all for FireFox lovers. And 12MB download for a browser? What a waste of bandwidth!
 
Two things wrong with it mainly, first it just is firefox with a lot of extra bloat. Second, it only runs on windows (no other choice with the new dual engines). Seems they forget their legacy ... anyway it seems to make sense only for those who actually visit "IE only" sites ...

Well anyway, always room for more choice in open source software, so, a welcome to the new netscape, maybe it will get a few more people away from IE.
 
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