Netscape Navigator 32-bit

Topic 8 · 27 responses · archived october 2000

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~terry Wed, Jul 10, 1996 (16:32) seed

conference categories | apps conference | browser topics http://www.netscape.com ftp://ftp8.netscape.com/pub/navigator/3.0b7/windows/n3230b7p.exe Netscape Navigator 32-bit Version 3.0 Beta 5a Size 6143 Kb Location ftp://ftp8.netscape.com/pub/navigator/3.0/3.0b5a/n3230b5s.exe Description Perhaps the best World Wide Web browser available on the 'net Status Expires September 17, 1996. Commercial version 3.0 - $49.92 Also Available 16-bit version and 32-bit Minimum version (3677 Kb - lacks plug-ins) Netscape Navigator -- Netscape continues to be the best web browser available...and will likely continue to remain at the top for a long time. Netscape was the first browser to show a doc's text while simultaneously loading its graphics. Today it remains one of the best at doing so. In addition, newer versions of Netscape allow multiple windows to be opened, effectively enabling spawned processes and concurrent access to multiple sites. With an integrated newsreader (one of the best newsreaders available -- in versions 1.22 and lower, that is), exclusive HTML tags (background images, blinking, etc.), and internal support for gifs and jpegs, this is the most important winsock app a 'net user can own. Netscape is available for free to educational and non-commercial users. For all others, there is a free, unlimited evaluation period. There are now two versions available for Netscape -- a 16-bit version and a 32-bit version. The 32-bit version cannot be used on Windows 3.x platforms but is recommended for Windows 95 and NT users. Netscape 2.0 takes "feature-warfare" one step farther by adding even more essential features. The most important of these is Netscape�s enhanced functionality and expandibility -- Netscape accepts plug-in modules from other vendors, which allow Netscape to offer even more features. Modules currently available include VRML, real-time audio and video (VDOLive), Netscape Chat, SmartMarks (for the most powerful bookmarking support available), LiveWire (for your advanced scripting needs) and inline support for Java; many more will undoubtedly follow. This expandibility factor is perhaps Netscape�s single most important feature. Additional new features include the FRAME tag, Targeted Windows support, Super/Subscript tags, client side image mapping, and inline HTML editing (with the Netscape 2.0 Gold package). Other browsers will likely copy many of these features, but for now Netscape offers more power than any other single web browser. And, once again, Netscape has opened a wide gap between itself and its closest competitor, Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Improved support for frames and tables capitalize on one of the few weaknesses in the 3.0 release. Netscape 3.0 also integrates several of the best available plug-in modules into the client, including a basic audio module for playing files of AIFF, MIDI, WAV, and AU sound formats; Live 3D for viewing VRML realms and experiencing distributed, interactive 3D spaces complete with text, images, animation, video, sound, and music; a video module for playing inline AVI videos; and a helper application called CoolTalk that allows for real-time full-duplex audio conferencing. The newest version also brings support for Java to PowerMac and Unix users for the first time. Pros: Exclusive HTML tags, Java/JavaScript support, CSIM, offers tons of plug-ins, quick browser Cons: Integrated mail and News clients could be better... New: New directory buttons, multicolumn text support, security and privacy enhancements, much more... Version Reviewed: 3.0 Beta 5 Date of Review: 6/28/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud

~zidox Mon, Aug 12, 1996 (02:04) #1

Question: Is Netscape going to charge when the full version of 3.0 comes out? Even for students and personal use? If Netscape is seriously considering this, they have no reason to be complaining about Microsoft's competition. I like Netscape, but I will go with the free MS Explorer 3.0 if Netscape starts charging...

~terry Mon, Aug 12, 1996 (07:31) #2

But if Netscape starts charging, wouldn't Microsoft start charging? Free software has never been Microsofts forte.

~Neptune Mon, Aug 12, 1996 (09:21) #3

Ahem... They DO NOT charge for students, academics, and recognized charities, and I beleive most government agencies were included in the no-fee group.

~theKAT Thu, Aug 15, 1996 (18:58) #4

Is there a way to make the newsreader in Netscape combine and decode multi-part UUE files? If so, I haven't been able to figure it out. Thx.

~sysop Sun, Aug 18, 1996 (11:19) #5

I just downloaded the full release version of Netscape 3.0 from ftp://ftp8.netscape.com/navigator/3.0/windows/n32e30p.exe

~golgo Tue, Aug 20, 1996 (01:15) #6

I have been using the 16 bit version of the full release of 3.0 but I can't seem to get the Java applets activated... the Java scripting is activated. Is thiis a feature of the 32 bit version only or is there something I am missing?

~tessera Thu, Sep 5, 1996 (02:39) #7

In response to the last item from Stephen Chen, check the release notes (actually the readme file from the download) I think that's what they said. Matter of interpretation though, java is limited in 16-bit version in some way but check the source, I know that this is all I read from the readme: "* Java is enabled in 32-bit version only." Since you have been using the 16 bit version of the full release of 3.0, can you comment on my difficulties with this? (see NN Gold topic, I won't waste space with duplicate posting.)

~kenric Thu, Sep 5, 1996 (06:17) #8

In response to the last item from Pat, Microsoft never ported JAVA to Windows 3.1. Currently IBM is writing a port. You can visit the IBM home page to find more information on the Windows 3.1 Java port status. Once this is complete, Netscape will be able to support Java on the Windows 3.1 platform.

~clownboy Fri, Nov 1, 1996 (01:03) #9

I've written for and followed HTML since it's inception - watching browsers be born and die. Netscape (since its inception as mozilla - remember the "M"?) has been this terrible and wonderful wildcard (think "blink" tag here) - creating propritary tags and doing it's damndest to throw it's weight around. Finally someone has listened to the W3C's standards - and it isn't Netscape. It's most frustrating to look to MS to supply what developers need, while Netscape seems to have forgotten us. Where the hell s Netscape when it come to the 3.2 specs? Why can't I control leading, why am I doomed to inheirit a default margins, Why can't I layer images/text with Netscape? MS, with all their corporate hubris, allows me to do this - and more, right now. All following the 3.2 standard. Wake up Netscape! 3.01 is nothing more than bug fixes for 3.0 (sloppy cde released early in reaction to the MS3.0 release). I don't need your revisiting of old bugs now called features (shades of cirrus logic incompatibilty - or how about the frame bug that refreshes to index everytime the the browser is refreshed or resized?). Please allow us to write for a common standard (why not W3C?) we can count on?????

~harker Sun, Dec 22, 1996 (09:56) #10

Does anyone know what happened to Netscape Communicator? There was a lot of buzz about it being on the Netscape site and Stroud advertised it as being on the WWW Page but alas, it never appeared?? Any clues?

~harker Sun, Dec 22, 1996 (09:56) #11

~terry Sun, Dec 22, 1996 (12:31) #12

No. I didn't know this. I did do a net search and found these resources: http://198.95.249.81/comprod/products/communicator/ which gives the official specs on the product. This is about the best place to find information on Communicator. To quote from the website: [Communicator] components are sold separately by Netscape as separate applications; rather, together they provide a rich set of services optimized for today's business and Web users. They include: Netscape Navigator Netscape Messenger Netscape Collabra Netscape Composer Netscape Conference Netscape Calendar (Professional Edition only) Netscape AutoAdmin (Professional Edition only) Netscape IBM Host On-Demand (Professional Edition only) Netscape Constellation functionality How does the integration work across these components? Click on a hyperlink and Netscape Navigator's browsing engine takes you there - whether to a Web document or to a discussion group posting. Compose an email message, discussion group posting, or an HTML document, and Netscape Composer provides the authoring engine. Select a name in the Personal Address Book, and you can send email, post a discussion group message, or initiate an Internet phone call - all from within the same interface. Any way a user wants to structure their everyday work and communication, Communicator provides the right combination of components and functionality to get it done quickly and easily.

~terry Sun, Dec 22, 1996 (12:53) #13

Also check http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/communicator/index.html

~slymister Sun, May 25, 1997 (22:19) #14

Netscape has some bugs. Be aware that you can't use Nortons Anti Virus program while downloading.

~terry Mon, May 26, 1997 (14:41) #15

What happens if you use Nortons Anti Virus? Does it crash or something. I'm pretty sure I had it running the other day when I downloaded Communicator 4.0.

~paradox Fri, Jun 13, 1997 (00:58) #16

The new version of Communicator 4.0 doesn't sound all that interesting. After all, it will have to replace a lot of solid software which already work well with one another. It is nice that Netscape wants to provide an integrated suite of stuff, but it also means that they will have to really offer something better than what people already have: in my case it means that they will have to outdo Agent 1.0 as a newsreader, Eudora Pro 3.0 as a mail reader and mail filer, and importantly, Smart Bookmarks 3.0 as a dynamic book mark drop and drag utility that can, for example, automatically keep tabs on updates at remote web pages. And all these programs work well in consort so that, for example, if I tap a mailto: in my web browser, it is automatically sent to Eudora Pro. Does Netscape think I will get rid of all this software (including WebWhacker and other such programs) that works primarily in terms of Netscape 3.01? I might make a special note of Smart Bookmarks 3.0. Forest Stroud's people seems to want to hide this one, but I might note that this product is much better than the earlier, unstable memory hog Smartmarks 2.0. Don't confuse them. You can use this agent, for example, to automatically look for words or phrases on the Internet once a day, or whenever you specify, and then send you or bookmark the changes! Full drop and drag functionality with Netscape Gold 3.01 (well, that's what I use), and full bookmark r placement. Stroud's folks for some reason don't want to include this as a 'web agent.' Tough, since it is. I in turn will use something like WebWhacker (1.0 since I need to access the downloaded sites on my hard drive) to archive the site I find. So Communicator should not to be rated simply as an 'improvement' of a stripped down Navigator 3.01, but as adding to an NN 3.01 as enhanced and integrated in a larger functional environment.

~tedchong Fri, Jun 13, 1997 (08:57) #17

Heard some serious bugs were found on all Netscape browser products, see below url for more info: http://cnnfn.com/digitaljam/9706/12/netscape_pkg/

~terry Fri, Jun 13, 1997 (09:21) #18

I been using Communicator 4.0, they just released the final version yesterday but they actually had it in a tucked away, unpublicised area of their site about a week ago. It's alright, the mail is workable and I like the way it remembers your last accessed url. It remembers where you left off. I've been bouncing back and forth between the new IE Explorer and Communicator so much that the distinctiosn between them are starting to blur. For the life of me, I can't find this highly touted "push" stuff in the product. And I'd like to see better integration of telnet into browsers.

~tedchong Fri, Jun 13, 1997 (20:39) #19

I used the professional version and found it to be faster than previous versions in term of loading text and graphics. But can't set the option to display full url path when you browse the bookmark. The 'PUSH thing sounds great for real-time news and financial info.

~ginger Sat, Jun 14, 1997 (21:32) #20

If you can find it!

~Neptune Fri, Jul 4, 1997 (06:05) #21

Howdy Partners, I have the latest Explorer on one system and the Communicator on another and I can definetly say, the Communicator wins hands down. A few of the features that impress me; * Very user configurable. Paul mentioned a "last url memory", well in your preferences that can be selected or it starts at a web page of your choice. I have it set for one page and if I want to go back to a visted site just click under the "Communicator" menu and select "History" to find a list of sites last visited... that list can also be configured to your liking from hundreds to none at all. * System friendly, in that YOU can modify where you want it to reside and also configure where many of its files will reside. Caches, user files, etc. Helping make the most of your system. * The Email & Collabra (Newsreader) alone are worth many praises. I have put away two other programs now that the Communicator does what they were doing for me. * MultiUser friendly too boot! I have had up to four different accounts be handled by the Communicator. It would have been nice if the program let more than one account be used simultaneously from the same system. Oh well, too many pluses to list... Drawbacks? Takes about 20 to 35 Mb to install (I'm using the Professional version with everything in it). How about feedback from other Communicator users out there?

~terry Fri, Jul 4, 1997 (09:38) #22

I'm amazed at how well Netscape has deployed this across disparate platforms like Sun, Windows 3.1, Dec Alpha, Mac, etc. They've tried to include everyone. I use Communicator and Navigator interchangeable on the same systems and they seem to be good befellows so far. I wish they would decide on a common menu structure, they seem to move the functions around with every new release. I don't think there's a clearcut winner here, unless you're on a Mac, a Sun or and AIX box, the it's obviously Communicator. Actually, I prefer Communicator on some systems and IE on others, it depends on the environment that I have set up.

~kota Sun, Aug 3, 1997 (09:04) #23

The good: For sheer usability, Netscape wins hands down. IE 4 just seems like the wannabe program that it is. Netscape remember all the little things I want it to. For instance, let's say I type in a URL using Ctrl-O and I make a mistake. I can go back and CTRL-O and fix the mistake. IE 4, you have to type the whole damn URL again. Also when you are entering any .COM domain name, you can leave out the "www." and ".com". So if i wanted to go to www.tucows.com, I can just type in tucows. I don't even use the messagin and discussion features anymore (Agent 1.5 kick a*s), but one thing I noticed is that you can have more than one news server. Every newsreader should have this feature. The bad: There should be a way to have multiple pop accounts from one user entry. Search under discussion group doesn't always work. Line numbers aren't listed, etc. etc. I use Agent now exclusively for newsgroups, so why am I complaining? The greatest news I've heard in recent times is that Netscape will be going to back to its roots; it will stop bundling the mail and newsreader functions in. Now that is something I would pay money for!

~ernst Sun, Aug 3, 1997 (16:49) #24

~idecard Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (06:57) #25

for comunicator 4.06 release notes : bad link from your site on http://cws.internet.com/32www.html#netscom instead of : http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/4.0/relnotes/windows-4.0.html for the review, it should be http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/4.0/relnotes/windows-4_06.html#Whats New Shame on u people . i had to go to the newsgroups to find this out.

~terry Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (08:03) #26

Thanks for the update! Are you and avid Communicator user?

~MarciaH Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (20:17) #27

PC Browser Alert A newsletter from CNET Help.com http://www.help.com/ August 24, 2000 *************************************************** This week's Browser tip: Find Long-Lost Friends (Netscape 6) Find lost-long folks with People Finder in Netscape 6. Just click Search/People Finder. The Netscape People Finder page will open, prompting you to type in the first and last names, city, and state/country of the person for whom you're searching. Then select "Find Phone Number/Street Address" or "Email Address" and click Search. If you know the person's street address, phone number, or email address and nothing else, you can do a Reverse Search using that information. With any luck, People Finder will make your lost person found. Get more Netscape 6 how-tos and tips: http://2.digital.cnet.com/cgi-bin2/flo?y=e2P0BBFIE0QX0B8BP

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