Anyone using the new Netscape 8.0?

JayC · May 24, 2005

I was waiting for the real version to come since the beta version has been out. I checked today and Netscape released the real version (is it an alpha version?) (the version I downloaded is 8.01). I thought I would give it a try. I was looking forward to it, but got some mixed feelings. It seems a bit buggy. Has anyone else got the MS error report (I'm using WinXP Pro with SP2)? I've gotten that a few times. Here's what happens: The browser seems to run fine for a while. Then, if I open a new tab (which is set to go to the home page) or if I go to a different site, it may only display a blank screen or a partial loading of the page. Shortly after, I get the error message about either sending a report to Microsoft or not.

The concept is really cool - if the site is safe it uses the IE platform; if a site is unknown it uses the Firefox platform. Another thing that surprised me was that the browser didn't come with en e-mail client like before. As far as I can remember Netscape browsers came bundled with an e-mail client. It'll take some getting used to, that's for sure. Especially coming from Netscape 7.2.

gmsssi · May 24, 2005

Yes, I have and found similar problems. Years ago I was a dedicated Netscape user and I try their product every so often. It just doesn't keep up. Try Firefox...............works well for me and earning great respect for security. My default browser!

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

http://www.spreadfirefox.com/

slowrev · May 24, 2005

Believe I will just stay with 7.?? for a while, low numbered versions are always buggy. After all we are the software testers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

Durbob · May 25, 2005

I have the same thoughts as you about it. The concept is great and there are some neat things about it, but at least 2/3rds the time i get the error message and it has to shut down. With enough complaints i'm sure it will be fixed soon. I have about 12 browsers now and use firefox , Avant, Slimbrowser, and Netscape 7.2 and 8.0 the most.

Dur

getut · May 25, 2005

Keep in mind... Netscape is only a branded version of the Mozilla engine. In other words, Netscape is Mozilla with a different "face" put on it.

The downside of that are many, but here are the main 2:
1) They are in the same predicament that Microsoft is in: If they give the user too many features to customize how they want to see/use the internet (such as removing annoying advertising) then they take heat from corporate customers. If they give too few features then they take heat from end users. It is a catch 22 and they try to strike a balance. Netscape actually removes/disables features from the original Mozilla code because of this catch-22. Mozilla/Firefox has ONLY the end users to make happy and they do a good job of it.
2) Base level security problems are patched FIRST in the Mozilla code, then cascaded down to other projects such as Netscape. This translates as... Security updates happen quicker for Mozilla/Firefox than Netscape.

Here is a good thread discussing ways to make Mozilla/Firefox even better.

getut · May 25, 2005

Wow.. that was another of your threads I pointed to. How about that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Never met anyone who went to something else after trying Firefox. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JayC · May 25, 2005

The concept is great and there are some neat things about it, but at least 2/3rds the time i get the error message and it has to shut down. 

I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one in the same boat. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 Here is a good thread discussing ways to make Mozilla/Firefox even better. 

Oh yes. I vaguely remember that thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 2) Base level security problems are patched FIRST in the Mozilla code, then cascaded down to other projects such as Netscape. This translates as... Security updates happen quicker for Mozilla/Firefox than Netscape. 

They were really quick to patch Netscape 8.0 to 8.01.

I have redownloaded Firefox again. I had used it before on the old computer (WinME). I wasn't all that impressed. There were little things about it that bugged me. Like the taskbar button for the browser wouldn't show the Firfox symbol, but the standard Windows symbol. There was a theme I really liked, but if I used it the screen would shake. I downloaded the theme again (I didn't know it at the time seeing I forgot the name). The shaking still occurs, even on the Win XP machine. I read the reviews and I'm not the only one with issues. So, at the time I went back to Netscape 7.2. I still have N7.2. I will be keeping Firfox this time around. Still gotta find that right theme, though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I got the Adblock extension. Will be doing some more customization later. I will also have to go over that thread again. I forgot about most of that stuff.

Gatorboy · May 25, 2005

(is it an alpha version?) 

Alpha versions are the "development" versions. When the developers are ready to have "others" test it out, it usually get's called a Beta version. Now that it's officially released, it's just version 8.0

_RaT_ · May 25, 2005

I went to Firefox after Rockyridge told us about it. I then started having problems with it displaying what others were seeing on this sight. I canned it and went back to IE. I have not had any security issues I can think of, but then, I don't really get into this stuff either. When I run Spybot or Adware, they came up with the same typical things with Firefox as with IE. On my old computer, IE loads much faster initially then Firefox. After that they seem similar. I do miss the tabbed windows on Firefox.