Netscape 7.02 Available for Download

Netscape has released Version 7.02. From the Release Notes:

What's New In Netscape 7.02

* Enhanced security
* Improved stability
* New Macromedia® Flash 6 r65 plugin for Windows
* New Java 1.4.0_03 plugin for Windows

Note that there is a newer version of the Java Plugin, at the Sun site: 1.4.1_01

Windows Download
Mac/Unux Download

Ramona

 

Holger Metzger has release a Compact Version of Netscape 7.02, and can be downloaded HERE

I will post the SillyDog701 Streamline and Standalone Version download sites, once they are available.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

So have you tried it out? I just downloaded it, but Netscape 7.0 is running pretty good right now. Some minor annoyances, but nothing major. Netscape claims, "improved stability ", do you think this is the case?

Hi ;-) by the way!

 

Hi Galdor!

How terrific to see your name pop up on this thread... Long time no see, my friend.

No, I won't download the 32 MB monster from NS, and will wait for the SillyDog701 Streamline Version. Not to say that Holger's Version isn't also a good one, it's just that I prefer the SillyDog Version (Antony Shen's)

Netscape 7.02 is based on Mozilla 1.0.2. However, the date for Gecko: February 8, 2003! That's quite recent. Although this Release lacks many of the features added to the newest Mozilla, it is proclaimed to be more stable and secure.

Let us know your opinion if you decide to install this Version, as I'm very interested in any feedback. Especially feedback from experts like yourself!!!

Don't be such a stranger.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

After much procrastination and for reasons too numerous to bore anybody, I've decided to give NS 7.02 a shot but not the 32meg version.

Before going ahead DLing the Metzger compact version, would you recommend that I wait for the SillyDog versions? I'm still using 4.79 but it's really getting out of date with many web sites.

Have you or anybody else had experience with 7.02 with Windows 98 SE?

Many thanks and nice to be back.

 

Hi Welt,

Good to have you back!

You might want to wait just a few more days for the SillyDog Version. It will be leaner and meaner than ever before!

I have been experiencing Netscape 6.2x and 7.0/01 with Windows 98 SE, and there is no conflict with the OS, if that's your concern. I'm really liking the Mail & Newsgroups now, and have gone from a single Mail account to 5 Mail accounts with no repercussions.

You can leave Communicator 4.79 on your system if you wish. There is no conflict with the two browsers. In fact, when you install Netscape 7.02, it will automatically convert your Communicator Profile. I am running Netscape 7.01, Communicator 4.79, and Mozilla 1.3b with no conflicts.

Ramona

 

Welt et al

I have NS 7.02 (compact) installed to separate directory. with 7.01 and 7.02 both on machine. No problems so far.

Can not see any visible difference between the two so I assume that the only diff. is in stability and security.

I really didn't have any problems with 7.01 (compact #8) stability.

Multiple email accounts work well in both 7.01 and 7.02.

regards:

 

There are some differences in the SillyDog and Compact Versions. Below are the links which include comparison charts for these two Versions vs. the official Netscape Versions. You will see that the Compact version includes quite a few tweaks not included in the SillyDog Version. It's definitely a personal choice. I prefer a browser to be as lean as possible.

SillyDog also offers the Standalone version with no Mail & Newsgroups.

Compact
SillyDog701

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona.

As you know I am having fun doing other things right now.

But the last NS install that I used ( 7.0 I think ) I was able to use my Eudora E-mail with no problems. In fact if I recall corectly NS did it not me.

Nice to have something that does not require 100% MS products to work.

One of these days when I get my other project done I will more than likely give NS another go.

For now it is back to the project at hand.

Later
BillyBob

 

Thank you Ramona...others too,

Yes, it was compatability that was top of mind. This said, I'm at the moment totally `cornfussed' from reading Netscape, Compact and Silly Dog. Perhaps the latter would be best as that's how I feel.

This said, I'm rather leaning towards Netscape's own Basic package which seems on a par for size of the customised packages. And there seems to be a feature I noted in one of the comparison charts you referenced - `Compact' I think - to a Canadian Region Pack whatever that is. I went to Netscape but couldn't find any reference. Perhaps it's carried forward from 6.x.

I use Netscape mail only occasionally for limited News Groups and nothing else. I'm a dyed in the wool Eudora user and have NO intention to change.

Can I easily delete AOL and Messenger references, et a? Never use them. [Real Player used to cause me so many fits - got worse with each newer version - that I got rid of it altogether.

Oh yes, would I be able to add a `home ' button from that button site? I'm rather shocked that Netscape seems to no longer have a `Home' button or am I making a false assumption?

If you have any thoughts of why I should not use Netscape's basic package, I'd love to hear them.

Many thanks once again.

 

Hi Welt,

There seems to be a feature I noted in one of the comparison charts you referenced - `Compact' I think - to a Canadian Region Pack whatever that is. I went to Netscape but couldn't find any reference.

The Language Packs can be found here: ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/netscape7/
In Netscape 7.0, there was a "Load More" tab, whereby you could add your Language Pack to the list. That option is not available in 7.01/02, but the Language Packs are available at the above FTP site. Actually I don't know why Holger opted to include the Canadian Language Pack? Perhaps he had requests from users.
Screen Shot of Preference

Can I easily delete AOL and Messenger references, et a? Never use them.

They are both mandatory in the Full Official Netscape Versions, with Mail & Newsgroups. Instant Messenger (NIM) is included and is necessary for Netscape Mail to integrate with Netscape WebMail. The SillyDog & Compact Versions are free of AOL fluff, or give you the opportunity to opt out.

Real Player used to cause me so many fits - got worse with each newer version - that I got rid of it altogether.

A "Custom" install will allow you to opt out of all media players.

Oh yes, would I be able to add a `home ' button from that button site? I'm rather shocked that Netscape seems to no longer have a `Home' button or am I making a false assumption?

There is a Preference wherein you can opt to have a Home Button on the Personal Toolbar, in addition to 10 other Button selections.

If you want a Home Button on the Navigation Toolbar, there is a small download
HERE which will place the Button on the Toolbar.

I tried it on Mozilla 1.3b, and it looks great in both the Classic and Modern Themes. Haven't tried it with Netscape 7.01, but Holger Metzger uses it with his Compact Version. Ensure that you have Software Installation enabled in the Advanced Preferences, or you will be unable to install the Button.

If you have more questions, let us know!

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Well I bit the bullet and installed Netscape 7.02. I agree with some of the other's comments that it doesn't seem much different from Netscape 7.01. The mail and newsgroups portion is still not working in the browser- in fact it's not even listed in the preferences- but I assume this will come about at later point in the package....

All in all it seems pretty stable and reliable. It seems faster than my old Netscape 4.79, which is nice, as the Netscape 4 versions were getting progressively slower with each "." fix.

With HTML specifications changing, I'm really starting to see an impact on the browser scene. There are many times when a Netscape 4.x browser won't open a webpage due to code discrepancies. IE 5.5 will open them, and I have been forced to use that on these pages until recently. With Netscape 7 out, I can opt to use that instead of IE (the Netscape 6 incarnations were still a little too buggy to be reliable).

In fact, Netscape 7.02 is solid enough that I'm using it as my default browser at home now. Since I don't use mail too often (I use a web-mail client) not having access to the mail and newsgroups features isn't a problem. I will be thrilled though when they do make it into the final product...

 

Hi Ramona

Thank you for the wonderful reply ... and Galdor too.

Guess my first clarification concerns full vs basic install vs Compact and Silly Dog. I think I saw Full NS vs Base NS probably in the Compact chart but I could find nothing re Basic NS at Netscape itself.

Do I assume correctly that Basic is simply the Full Netscape version DL'd and then custom installed w/o the bells and whistles? If so, I might as well go for the Compact or await Silly Dog.

You Home button link is the one I was thinking about but didn't make specific. I also gather that the Cdn. package can be added to any installation of 7.x if it's not already there as with Holger's Compact version.

Again my thanks for your generosity.

 

Hi Welt,

Guess my first clarification concerns full vs basic install vs Compact and Silly Dog. I think I saw Full NS vs Base NS probably in the Compact chart but I could find nothing re Basic NS at Netscape itself.

There is little to no information about the Base Version at the Netscape site. You will have to peruse the Netscape Newsgroups to get that type of information. Mozillazine posted this article.

Do I assume correctly that Basic is simply the Full Netscape version DL'd and then custom installed w/o the bells and whistles? If so, I might as well go for the Compact or await Silly Dog.

Yes, you assume correctly.

You Home button link is the one I was thinking about but didn't make specific. I also gather that the Cdn. package can be added to any installation of 7.x if it's not already there as with Holger's Compact version.

Yes, that is correct.

Again my thanks for your generosity.

Glad I could help, and let us know if you have further questions.

Ramona

 

Hi Galdor,

You are correct, there is no significant difference in 7.01 and 7.02, other than stability.
From the Release Notes:
Enhanced security
Improved stability
New Macromedia® Flash 6 r65 plugin for Windows
New Java 1.4.0_03 plugin for Windows

There is, however, a newer Java Plugin from the Sun site, which I have installed:
1.4.1_01

The mail and newsgroups portion is still not working in the browser- in fact it's not even listed in the preferences- but I assume this will come about at later point in the package.

Which Version of Netscape 7.02 did you install? Mail & Newsgroups works better than ever, and in fact has become more stable with each upgrade of Netscape. As I have mentioned previously, I have 5 working Mail Accounts, and have encountered no problems.

You should definitely have Mail & Newsgroups. When you installed Netscape 7, did you create a new Profile? Also did Netscape 7 convert your Communicator Preferences? Once you have installed Netscape 7, and have created your Profile, you should run Netscape 7 once, in order to set up your Mail & Newsgroup Accounts. This can only be done in the Mail & Newsgroups Window. Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings. Something is definitely wrong...

The new Netscape strictly adheres to the W3C specs. perhaps even more so than IE, so you will be delighted with performance in that area. Communicator, although still a very stable browser, is becoming obsolete in this particular area. The Netscape 6 Versions were a disaster, but the 7 Versions have certainly proved that Netscape can and will be a browser to be reckoned with... Look out IE!!

Let us know if you are unable to set up your Mail.

Ramona

 

Again, thank you Ramona,

I think I'll wait and see about the Silly Dog versions when available. I simply don't want that AOL content.

I admit I was lost at the Netscape FTP site. I noted that the NS701base.exe file link was actually for downloading but I did not attempt it as there was no indication if it was complete or one of those `wee' enabling files for auto DL and install. When I found the FTP site I hadn't a clue but I could not see any reference to NS702base.exe.

Perhaps it's not available.

 

Hi Welt,

I'm beta testing the SillyDog Streamline version now, so not much longer...

You can determine which file is the online installer, and which is the full install by the size of each file:

Download:
ftp://ftp.netscape.com./pub/netscape7/english/7.02/windows/win32/sea/

This is the Base Version sans all the fluff:
NS702base.exe 14122 KB

This is the full install with all Media Players, AOL, etc.:
NSSetupB.exe 32106 KB

This is the online installer:
NSSetup.exe 246 KB
I don't recommend using this.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

I just DL'd Silly Dog Streamline 7.02 and backed up my NS 4.79 User folder contents plus personal registration file notes for regularly visited URLs [I intend to place them onto a floppy to better ensure passwords safety.] I know I can retain 4.79 but I'm thinking I'd just as soon clean it out entirely.

Here's where I need additional direction. I can read about 7.02 picking up prior user info from 6.x but if no 6.x or 4.x is there, how is it best to proceed and to integrate my User Profile, news and mail info, certificates, bookmarks, etc.?

My intent is to begin by using the Remove function in the Control Panel, then clean out all traces of Netscape in the Registry, in shared applications, etc.: anything I can find.

As a second step, I woult then install Silly Dog 7.02 Streamline by first shutting down all but Explorer and Zone Alarm*. I even can shut down the latter by disconnecting my cable service. I would then reboot and reconnect myself to the Internet and register the new installation.

Do you fault any of the foregoing?

How can I now install by old 4.79 data as aforementioned? I would not add back the FAT or Host files.

Finally, what about all my NS plugins? Sould I reinstall all on a `when and as needed basis'?

Do you happen to know off-hand, if Mr.Sid and DjVu Browser will work with 7.02 Silly Dog? If not, then I'll have to retain 4.79 as these two items are absolutely necessary to me for genealogy work.

Lizard Tech's Web page says its for Netscape Navigator and IE. Mr. Sid simply says its for Netscape and IE browsers.

Thanks again

 

Hi Welt,

I can read about 7.02 picking up prior user info from 6.x but if no 6.x or 4.x is there, how is it best to proceed and to integrate my User Profile, news and mail info, certificates, bookmarks, etc.?

If you're experiencing no problems with your 4.x, I would urge you to leave it on your system until after you've installed 7.02. The automatic file conversion is a much simpler process than having to manually copy from the backup. However, if you prefer to remove all vestiges of Netscape first, there is a guideline for Transferring Profiles from PC to PC which would accomplish what you wish to do. EDIT: Note that this is for Version 7, however, you can adapt it to Communicator, with a few exceptions. Ask away if you have questions.

The 4.x Plugins Folder can be copied to 7.02. You may, or may not have to reinstall the plugins. I recall that I only had to reinstall one plugin.

Ramona

 

Here is another simple Transfer/Backup Netscape Profiles guide. It tells you where Communicator's profiles stored.

It the webpages say they are for Netscape, it won't be matter for Streamline 7.02 from SillyDog701. However, there are still a number of webpages that won't display correctly for Netscape 6/7, this is not the problem of Netscape, but rather, the designer isn't using the standard recommendations.