Netscape 8.1 released

Netscape Communications released Netscape 8.1. Netscape 8.1 features new Spyware & Adware Protection and improved Security Center, Real-Time Feeds (RSS) and Profile control.

• What's new in this version?
• Anti-Spyware Protection
• Dynamic Security Center
• Profile Manager
• Enhanced RSS support
• New Options panel
• Undo tab close
• Tabbed browsing enhancements
• UI enhancements
• Performance improvements

release notes

Download Netscape 8.1:
Net installer (not recommended)

Full Installer (18.3MB)

 

My brief experience with Netscape 8.1:

First:
Netscape 8.1 is 18.3MB
The increase from Netscape 8.0.4, which was 13.6MB can be attributed to several components.

There is a new Security Center which has several options available. See this Screen Shot.

There is no "Custom" install, and Flash is installed, as well as AOL fluff, including AIM. There is a Spyware Scanner (PestPatrol) installed.

I was unable to view all my folders on the Personal Toolbar, however, these folders are viewable in all other Gecko browsers.

I simply am not impressed, and returned to Firefox as fast as my fingers could move my mouse. I don't think we will ever see a return of Netscape as we once knew it, now that AOL is in control.

 

I liked the idea, but not the results. Beside what Ramona said, in my case the Spyware thing did not work, and I was told to reinstall the browser. I have installed the very neat Microsoft AntiSpyware beta, and, may be the Netscape's program did not like it. At least another one of the security items did not work, with the explanation that the original update was too long ago, or 13,174 days ago (i.e. 36 yrs. ago). They sure have a lot of imagination!
I don't like the fact that the program is trying to trick one into using the IE mode, as default (unless I misunderstood the purpose of that check mark).
Under present conditions, 8.1 is a step backward. I have removed and reinstalled 8.0.4 several times mainly to be able to answer question, but I have lost interest in the program.

 

I uninstalled 8.1, and then reinstalled it. It took about 40 min. to do a spyware scan. It found three files which it thought were spyware, and never seen by my other antispyware program. Two of them may have been real, but only because I cannot apply the same protection in NS8.1 as I can with FF. And, the third one which I did not recognize, messed up one program, which could have been spyware, but had disable some of those feature. So, don't think that NS anti-spyware is better because it finds more. Just be careful, or you will regret it later.
After using it for a while, I would say that NS8.1 is almost ok, without pushing some of its annoying features, like multitabs.