Netscape Navigator 5.0

[Aaron E. Walsh]

David Megginson wrote:
> 
> Althought it's always best to wait for the fine print, the
> announcement that Netscape will release the source code for 5.0 and
> will allow redistribution of modified versions is very interesting for
> XML developers.

Hi David -- A similar post regarding NN5 was made on the main VRML list
(the subject is "Imagine") to which a few responses were made. I'll
paste that discussion here since it feeds off your original message:

Subject:  imagine ....
Date:  Thu, 22 Jan 1998 16:49:50 -0500
From: Michael Ware <mikew at magnet.com>
Organization: Magnet
To: www-vrml at vrml.org

Jaw-dropping news... imagine the possibilities for intranet
applications; need to make a change to the browser?  Find a JavaScript
bug and want to fix it?

[... complete NN5 press release cut ... ]

---

Subject:  Re: imagine ....
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 12:44:10 -0500
From:  "Aaron E. Walsh" <aaron at mantiscorp.com>
Organization: Mantis Development Corp.
To:  Michael Ware <mikew at magnet.com>
CC: vrml list <www-vrml at vrml.org>

Michael Ware wrote:
> Jaw-dropping news... imagine the possibilities for intranet
> applications; need to make a change to the browser?  Find a JavaScript
> bug and want to fix it?

Jaw-dropping, indeed, with astonishing potential. If the good folks at
Netscape manage to control the product release process, rather than
allowing it to splinter into different flavors, it's a wonderful move.
If not, I'd hate to see the end game. I can't imagine that they'll let
it get away from them, though, since there's plenty of history to draw
on & this is a strategic move designed to keep their product line
competitive with the ever present MS contingency. I'll be keeping my
eyes wide open either way :)
 
Regards,
Aaron

---

Subject: Re: imagine ....
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 10:26:02 -1000
From:  "Philip A. Bralich, Ph.D." <bralich at hawaii.edu>
To: aaron at mantiscorp.com, Michael Ware <mikew at magnet.com>
CC: vrml list <www-vrml at vrml.org>

At 07:44 AM 1/23/98 -1000, Aaron E. Walsh wrote:
>Michael Ware wrote:
>> Jaw-dropping news... imagine the possibilities for intranet
>> applications; need to make a change to the browser?  Find a JavaScript
>> bug and want to fix it?
>
>Jaw-dropping, indeed, with astonishing potential. If the good folks at
>Netscape manage to control the product release process, rather than
>allowing it to splinter into different flavors, it's a wonderful move.

It is indeed an interesting and dramatic move.  To control the product
release process all they need do is be sure that only the most stable
most crucial applications be included with their release while others
that are less widely needed or less stable can exist as independent
software developers.  They might even get some of their money back from
offering this for free by investing in companies who are likely to make
a profit but unlikely to be "crucial" enough for the main release.

I am already looking forward to browsing the Netscape on-line malls for
software, shareware, and free ware tailored specifically for my browser
needs.  As a developer I am already thinking of products I can sell
to Netscape users as well as those to offer to Netscape itself.  

Phil Bralich

Philip A. Bralich, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Ergo Linguistic Technologies
2800 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 175
Honolulu, HI 96822

Tel: (808)539-3920
Fax: (808)5393924

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