Netscape browser suite adds beef, brawn
April
6, 1997
By JIM BROOKS
Netscape Communications Corp. has fired yet another shot in the
latest war for dominance in the browser market for the World Wide
Web.
And if you judge your artillery by sheer size, then Netscape has
rolled out its biggest gun yet.
The second preview version of Netscape's new Web communications
software suite, Netscape Communicator, was just released and it
is drawing a good deal of attention -- and criticism.
Netscape is making its Web browser a part of a larger suite of
software modules -- meaning that no longer will you use just Navigator,
a Web browser.
You'll also have a variety of handy tools bundled with it, including
greatly improved mail, news, HTML editor and a spiffy calendar among
them.
Netscape Communicator will come in two basic flavors: standard
and professional.
From their download site, Communicator Standard is available as
"typical" or "deluxe" configurations. The deluxe
version has more of the bells and whistles -- and be warned it takes
more time to download.
The professional package, at least the file to download for my
Windows operating system, weighed in at a gargantuan 11-plus Megs
to download. That's quite a file to download, unless you've got
ISDN or a T1 at your house. Count on spending about an hour, even
at 28.8 speed.
Reports say the new browser -- er, software suite -- will be released
this summer for a variety of operating systems, including Macintosh
(it is available as a preview package for a great many operating
systems right now).
Communicator adds lots of features that even this preview version
doesn't implement yet. Tools for collaboration will allow you to
chat in real time by voice or text with a group of other users,
and to share a "white board" to draw on, much like a chalkboard.
Some of these features are primarily business-related applications,
which should come as no surprise. Netscape has been courting the
business market for some time, with its extensive line of software
and hardware offerings and growing number of partnerships and alliances.
But not only are sizes of the software files large by most standards,
the software requires hefty amounts of RAM to operate as well.
You're looking at 16 Megs to run the "standard" Communicator
package. Throw in the spiffy new calendar software, and you're looking
at 20 Megs or more just to get started.
I'll be trying out a copy of the Netscape Communicator Professional
preview release -- look for a hands-on review in the next couple
of weeks.
But be aware that preview software -- the "not-quite-ready
for prime time" versions that are still being developed --
like this can have quite a few bugs and missing features. Unless
you like a little adventure, I would recommend sticking to the tried-and-true
version, Netscape Navigator 3.01 (or Microsoft Internet Explorer
3.0).
Many folks aren't even using the newest version of Navigator yet,
but it is available at the Netscape home page on the Web at http://home.netscape.com.
If you're interested in creating your own Web pages, you might
want to download Navigator Gold 3.01 -- it has a built-in "what-you-see-is-what-you-get"
HTML editor -- and give it a try.
MAC ATTACK. Apple's current business woes mean the company
may be down, but don't count it out yet.
The company is launching a new line of Macs aimed at replacing
the Performa lineup that it is retiring -- Macs that reportedly
operate more than twice as fast as a 200 MHz Pentium MMX PC on some
graphic-intensive programs.
The new PowerMac 6500 series is aimed at home users and small businesses,
and will ship completely ready with software and hardware to fully
edit images, sounds and video.
Processor speeds start at 225 MHz and push upward -- as do the
prices, which start at $1,999 for a low-end 225 MHz model with 32
megabytes of RAM and a massive 3-gigabyte hard drive (but no monitor).
It'll be interesting to watch the Macintosh clone companies work
to meet -- or beat -- this package price.
In other Apple news, AppleLink, the computer company's online service,
was officially disconnected on March 31.
The system had been the official communications system for the
Apple faithful and had its beginnings some 13 years ago.
While the service was retired in 1991, it had been much more active
in the pre-Internet years of the mid-to-late 1980s.
It wasn't cheap to use, either -- peak rates would hit you for
$36 an hour for 9600 baud access (remember that was back in the
days when online services charged you higher rates for using a faster
modem).
The service was a pioneering effort that created the first graphical
interface for an online service. In the end, it was the popularity
of the Internet and the World Wide Web that reduced its usefulness.
REGULATION SHUFFLE. Business on the Internet and the World
Wide Web is forcing the government's regulatory agencies to address
new issues and problems as online commerce struggles to get on its
feet.
But government agencies are finding the Internet useful as a tool
-- rather than a problem -- a tool that can improve how each agency
operates.
Communication and access to the government is the first advantage.
Both the Federal Trade Commission and the FCC have benefited from
tips and public input on a varsity of regulatory matters.
But the new ease of communication means new rules and boundaries
are also necessary.
The Securities and Exchange Commission permits stock brokers to
talk with clients freely on the phone, but requires supervisors
to review written communications -- including e-mail.
``The current requirement that any e-mail must be reviewed by a
supervisor obviously makes e-mail almost useless,'' said SEC Commissioner
Steven Wallman. ``You're not in a position to have an interactive
conversation with your broker.''
The solution? Changes in rules to accommodate new ways of doing
business.
Change is nothing new in the business world when it comes to emerging
technology.
When the railroads began to span the country, standard time zones
were a necessity.
And likewise, when air travel advanced to include national and
then international destinations, changes had to be made to accommodate
the fledgling industry.
The Internet is no differ net, Wallman said recently in a Reuters
interview.
``It's the last frontier.''
EDGAR ON THE WEB. And speaking of the SEC, if you own stock
in or work for a publicly traded company, you can use the Web to
read its latest SEC filings.
Edgar is the SEC's database and in recent months it's become a
very slick resource indeed.
While initial access was free, Edgar offers some filing information
free of charge and premium services for a fee.
All publicly traded company's SEC's filings are posted the day
the are received. Paying subscribers get immediate access; otherwise
you'll have to wait at least 24 hours to access the latest information.
Edgar Online features one of the best search interfaces I've seen.
You can sort by time of filing, company name, ticker symbol or form
type.
If you don't know your 10-K from a 10-Q, there's a definition list
of SEC forms and what they represent that's only a mouse click away
-- as are 20-minute delayed stock quotes.
Paid subscribers get the premium stuff -- instant access to all
filings as they are posted, e-mail alerts when filings on their
list of "watched" companies occur and more services.
Fortunately, Edgar Online doesn't charge casual users, though registration
and selection of a login and password are required to use the site.
The subscription fees range from $14.25 per quarter for students
and journalists (and limited to 25 "instant" access SEC
filings per month) to $275 per quarter for much greater usage.
To try it yourself, point your browser to www.edgar-online.com.
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