And finally, The Ugly:
- The ICQ/AIM sidebar tab lightweight client is still the same which was included with Netscape 7.1 back in 2003. It's really a shame that AOL/Netscape was not able to hire a single programmer with Javascript/XUL knowledge to fix this fast, lightweight client. For instance, users have been complaining for ages about the inability to have both AIM and ICQ tabs on display at once, and to be connected to the two networks simultaneously.
- No Mac OS-X, -much less Linux- version: One would think that with Microsoft halting development of IE for Mac, Netscape would use this opportunity to lure some users to their offering. No such 'revolutionary' thoughts allowed at AOL's management positions, it seems.
- Huge optional software is back. Apparently to earn the division some easy bucks by entering into joint marketing agreements.
- Totally USA-centric: In the optional "Weatherbug" software, everything revolves around "US ZIP code". I advise users not to install this. If you want a nice weather-reporting tool in your windows Systray that is not only free but also works around the globe, try this one dubbed "WeatherWatcher", which unlike Netscape's bundle, supports cities around the world, degrees in Celsius and Fahrenheit, and more.
- If you choose to install "Rhapsody" from Real Networks, the installer advises you that it needs (get this) 380MB of hard disk space. Sheesh, good, full-blown 32-bit operating systems like OS/2 Warp managed to fit on less space!. Thank the heavens it's OPTIONAL.
- The program tries to force the user into the user interface. As if the Microsoft Office "Animated Paper Clip" fiasco wasn't enough!. You type "www.google.com" and a large baloon box pops up telling you -in more polite terms, of course- "hey stup#id, there's a search box right here". Well, it happens to me that I like typing www.google.com. GO AWAY, you ugly "asistant"!. Sheesh, evil things refuse to die.
- People outside the U.S. borders can wait, forever. That seems to be the message Netscape is giving out. The "International editions" link takes you to a page which lists... only one option: Netscape Canada, and in the previous version (8.0).
Results of the spyware scan
In short: I think Netscape 8.1 is an evolution of the path started with 8.0. A path that seems to target "dumb and dumber" internet users that are scared to death to surf the interweb and who have little knowledge. This is very different from the core user base that Netscape 7.x enjoyed. AOL/Netscape would have a surprise if they resurrect the 7.x series, updating it and basing it on the new "SeaMonkey 1.0" internet suite, which is Mozilla's successor. In fact, the two products could live together, targeting completely different user types. With the Seamonkey based version named "Netscape Pro", "Netscape Suite", or something around these lines, and it wouldn't disturb the current marketing strategy for the 8.x series.
User is reminded that typing www.google.com is not really needed. Sheesh!
A certain manager once hinted about the possibility of resurrecting the Netscape 7.x line. Well, with SeaMonkey 1.0 already in beta, what a better time to please the "power users" than starting now?. Going back to Netscape Browser 8.1, I recognize it certainly has an audience, but that target audience is certainly not me. The good news is that you don't need to agree with me or take my word for it, you can go to
Netscape's browser page, download it and try it yourself.
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The INQuirer