Reports of Netscape's death have been greatly exaggerated! The last version of the Netscape
internet application suite (built upon Mozilla) was v7.1, which was released on June 30th 2003.
Approximately 3 weeks later, all Netscape development effectively ceased, with some of the
developers laid off, and others reassigned to other posts within parent company, AOL.
It seemed that Netscape was effectively dead. The original web browser pioneer was no more.
Since then, AOL have been using the Netscape brand name for other products, such as a low
cost "AOL Light" dial up internet service, and even a toolbar for Microsoft Internet Explorer!
Roll on to spring 2004, and AOL announce the Netscape browser is to resume, and that a
new and updated version of the Netscape internet application suite, based upon Mozilla,
would be released at some point during the summer . . . Netscape 7.2.
Now, after about 3 months of ongoing speculation, mainly concerning whether or not AOL
were being honest about offering an updated Netscape browser package, Netscape 7.2
has finally been unleashed. It's built upon the most recent version of Mozilla (v1.7.2)
and as before, it includes a built in AOL/ICQ Messenger client, Netscape Webmail
support, and also a version of the Netscape Toolbar originally made for IE.
Also bundled with Netscape 7.2 is Sun Java and Flash Player, for websites with interactive
multimedia content based upon key technologies from Sun Microsystems and Macromedia.
Netscape 7.2 is available as a free download for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux systems,
direct from Netscape.com. You can also order copies on official Netscape CD-ROM's and
official Netscape Guidebooks from the (recently opened) official Netscape Store . . .
