Differences between netscape and mozilla

What is the difference between netscape and mozilla? Is the two different browsers? Do you download mozilla same as netscape/ I have always been confused by those two terms and thought I would get the correct answer now. I now have netscape 7.1 and netscape 4.79. Can I also have mozilla?

Thanks

 

Hi Connor,

Netscape and Mozilla are two separate browsers, but both are based on the same source code, using the Gecko engine. Netscape 7.1 and Mozilla 1.4.1 use the identical source code, and it is impossible to tell the difference, as far as appearance, and both browsers are very similar as far as components, operation, preferences, etc. Mozilla runs a bit faster than Netscape, which is also a plus.

Mozilla does not comes with the proprietary NIM (Netscape Instant Messaging). One other difference is that IMAP Netcenter mail is proprietary to NS 7 only, and cannot be accessed in the Mozilla or Mozilla Thunderbird mail application. I've always thought of Mozilla as a streamlined Netscape.

Mozilla is downloaded exactly like Netscape, if you use the *.exe file. Mozilla also has a *.zip install, which only requires that you unzip the file in the folder of your choice. This requires no uninstall, and all that is necessary is to remove the entire folder. This is a nice feature if you like to try the nightly builds, or the fairly frequent beta versions. Mozilla 1.6a is now available, but I'm certainly not recommending it yet.

I also run Netscape 7.1, Communicator 4.79, and I have installed Mozilla 1.5. The three have no conflicts whatsoever. There is one caution in the Mozilla Release Notes, and that is you must create a unique Profile for Mozilla. If you share a Profile between Mozilla and Netscape, you will have severe problems, and that manifests in data loss, as a rule.

Why don't you take a look at the Release Notes for Mozilla, and then browse through the Mozilla FAQ:

Mozilla 1.5 Release Notes
Mozilla 1.4.1 Release Notes
Mozilla 1.4 Frequently Asked Questions

Let us know if you have further questions.

Ramona

 

Thanks Ramona for that great answer. It cleared up several things about netscape and mozilla for me.

 

Hi Connor,

You're most welcome, and glad I could help! Let us know if you have more questions.

Ramona