Is this the end of Netscape?

AOL is abandoning Netscape and going to MS check out this article->('')
eek!
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-1011356.html

whats gona happen to all us NS fans? now?('')
confused

 

AOL doesn't use Netscape anyway, except in a few trial tests.

At this time, the Mozilla Dev team has not posted any info on the project, but since Netscape is based on the open source Mozilla project, at least Mozilla may live on.

 

We still have Mozilla, althought AOL might drop feeding of Mozilla.org, it will survive!

 

There are several threads on the snews://secnews.netscape.com/netscape.netscape7.windows
Newsgroup pertaining to the AOL/MS alliance. Also lots of articles in the various tech columns:

The Register
Washington Post
CNET
Yahoo
Netscape

As stated above, Mozilla is alive and well! There has been no official word that the Netscape Division will be dropped. This is nothing more than speculation at this point, although it doesn't look promising for Netscape's future development.

Ramona

 

I have used Netscape exclusively since I first got a computer. I would gladly *pay for the Netscape browser and mail, BUT, I would not give a plugged nickel for OE or IE!!!

 

To all those worried,
We will still be here to help you with Netscape issues, although it might be renamed to Mozilla-based or something like that in the future.

I don't want to say this, but for the worst, the brandname Netscape might be gone. However, Mozilla will survive.

 

That is reassuring news Antony. I am like the above poster. I will pay for something else before I would use a Microsuck browser

erg

 

Just gotta chime in on this one. There's no way I'll succumb to M$ on this one. IE is a piece of absolute JUNK. Glad to hear Mozilla will survive. But, even if the worse happens, I'll just go to another, lesser, browser -- but NOT M$!!!

 

If the worst happens and AOL pulls it's financial support... can Mozilla survive and perform as previous "without" contributions / donations?

 

Jay Garcia posted this yesterday in reply to a "Netscape Over" type question, on the Netscape 7 NG. I thought it was a very positive comment:

snews://secnews.netscape.com:563/bbh1p5$1983@ripley.netscape.com

From: Jay Garcia <Mozilla@Netscape.JayGarcia.com>
Newsgroups: netscape.netscape7.windows
Subject: Re: GAME OVER BABY!!
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 21:48:13 -0500
Organization: Netscape Champions
User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.5a) Gecko/20030602

Mozilla and Firebird will continue for sure. Mozilla is open source which insures it's future. Firebird was never funded by Netscape/AOL/TW nor Netscape supported. The originators are not Netscape employees although there was one or two that did a bit of contributions on company time. Bugzilla will continue simply because it's mirrored anyway. The CVS server will find another host, simple as that.

What happens to " " Netscape " " is not certain at this time. However, ... well, just "however ", more to come.

Thunderbird I'm not mentioning mainly because I have no idea. Scott
Carpenter, the main force is a NS employee, therefore the future of
T-Bird is uncertain.

--
Jay Garcia - Netscape Champion
Netscape News Server Volunteer Administrator

 

Mozilla will survive for sure, as long as there are still people interested in Mozilla. If you recall back in May 1999, Jamie Zawinski resiged from AOL and Mozilla.org.
Jamie was one of the Netscape employees before we all heard of Netscape. He was the main leader in Mozilla.org. His resignation disappointed quite a number of people, Mozilla.org survived and worked harder. It proved the fact that no one(*) actually owns open source software. All end users can use, reproduce, modify, display, perform, sublicense and distribute Mozilla. (unless such rights have been terminated.)

What if AOL stop feeding Mozilla (finacially)? My guess is, Mozilla might need to look for a new home, most likely under some universities, and may need some sort of re-organising of its structure.

(*) Accroding to Mozilla Public License (MPL). Please note, MPL may and can only be changed by Netscape Communications Corporation.

 

I have no doubt that it will continue, considering that Microsoft has announced that it will no longer update IE, except on new releases of Windows.

IE 6 SP1 is the last general release and the next OS release (longhorn) is not slated until 2005.

Someone has to keep up the momentum and the Mozilla group seems to be comitted to doing that.

They have been innovating and integrating more than IE has done in the last 3 years and it shows.

I think they are here to stay for a long time and continuing to develop better and better software.

 

There's some smoke at the Netscape camp, and you know the old saying: "Where there's smoke....... "

snews://secnews.netscape.com:563/bbrnfu$3gg1@ripley.netscape.com

-------- Original Message --------
secnews.netscape.com!not-for-mail
From: Jay Garcia <Mozilla@Netscape.JayGarcia.com>
Newsgroups: netscape.netscape7.windows
Subject: Re: IBM and Netscape
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 23:00:11 -0500
Organization: Netscape Champions

On 06/06/2003 12:41 PM, Lon Stowell wrote:

Jay Garcia wrote:

cm wrote:

I know it's only in the unsubstantiated rumor stage, but this combination
would really kick butt! Let's hope there's a smidgen of truth in there....

Netscape, by IBM!

--
cristo morlan

-------- snip --------

Netscape upper management "suits" are talking with another company at
the moment. It's quite "hush hush" at the moment. I had a "fly on the
wall" in the conference room but somebody swatted it .. drat. Not
"kidding" here either. ;-)

Hope to know more after the weekend.

--
Jay Garcia - Netscape Champion
Netscape News Server Volunteer Administrator

--

Now I find this one of the most interesting tid-bit-hints that you've
> ever dropped, Jay. Thanks for sharing it with us, and I'll say that I
> certainly hope that the negotations go well. Without knowing who this
> potential company is (unless the other cryptic "IBM buys Netscape --
> cool thought anyways" thread has anything to do with it), I hope that
> they will do more with it than AOL. I'm amazed that Netscape/Mozilla
> turned out as beautiful of a thing as it has considering it's been AOL's
> back burner for years now.
>
> Kenneth
>


My IBM wishful thinking thread had nothing to do with this at all.

I've never been a fan of AOL, just Netscape/Mozilla and it's dedicated
employees and outside contributors, etc.

It is my OPINION that AOL purchased Netscape to be used as a pawn in
order to leverage a new set of sheets on Billy's ultra king-sized bed.
Looks like I may be right as they're reading bedtime stories to each
other now. <wretchhhh> !!

My "sources" are very much credible tho ...

--
Jay Garcia - Netscape Champion
Netscape News Server Volunteer Administrator

 

FWIW--Another opinion
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2913880,00.html