Solo Technology

Remember the Netscape Navigator browser? I think it was the second browser I ever used frequently (dang, I can’t remember the first one I used. Getting old.) The beta release of 9.0 is out now and I decided to give it try since it has been literally years since I last used a Netscape browser.

First thing I noticed was how much it feels like Firefox! As it should, they share the underlying engine. I immediately typed about:config into the address bar and was pleased to see that unlike Firefox, config.trim_on_minimize not only exists, but also defaults to true. Saves me time, as the first thing I do with any Firefox install is my little memory hack to reduce memory usage when minimized.

(as of this writing, that little memory hack post is the 3rd most popular post ever at this site!)

Speaking of things not found in Firefox… Check out what you see towards the bottom of the File menu:

That’s useful — and the fact that your session is preserved on a restart is a big plus too. Now you can disable a plugin and get rid of it right away without waiting for the next restart.

While on the Firefox topic: Firefox 2 extensions are all compatible with Netscape Navigator 9.

The largest repository for browser addons is addons.mozilla.org. Most of the addons hosted there were built for official Mozilla® products, but because Netscape Navigator 9 is based on the latest Mozilla technologies, the extensions should work with Netscape Navigator as well. (If an extension is compatible with Firefox® 2, you will be able to install it in Navigator 9.)

Firefox themes are not compatible. Speaking of which, there don’t appear to be any at the Navigator themes page. Oh well. The default is tolerable for now.  Mostly.

Tons more features listed on the Release Notes page. Check out the Link Pad and Sidebar Mini Browser in particular.  These could be very useful for day-to-day use.

I’ve just got my toes wet so far, but I’m pleased with what I’ve seen. There are lots of hooks for the Netscape.com social stuff that I’m not overly interested in, but they’re pretty unobtrusive. I think I’m going to give this a go as a primary browser for a few days. You know, just for variety’s sake…

Anyone else messing with it?  Any thoughts?

7 Responses to “Netscape 9.0 beta 1 First Look”

1. » pingback » Using StumbleUpon Firefox Extension with Navigator 9 beta » Solo Technology on June 8th, 2007 11:38 pm
   
   
2. Tabletop Baseball on June 10th, 2007 11:03 am
   

   I think the first (popular) graphical browser was NCSA Mosaic. I can’t imagine netscape going anywhere.

3. Chris on June 10th, 2007 1:41 pm
   

   Howdy “tabletop”. Yep, I believe it was indeed Mosaic. It was back when I was an AIX guy — that graphical browser was some pretty heady stuff back then!

4. Wallet Rehab on June 10th, 2007 8:21 pm
   

   I remember downloading Mosaic from UIUC’s ftp site in 1994. Wow. Am I an old man!

5. Tom on June 11th, 2007 3:33 am
   

   Great design is great thing tho I am always looking on functionality in the first place.

6. Chris on June 11th, 2007 7:31 am
   

   @Wallet - I’d guess that’s right around when I started using it as well. Fun times!

7. » pingback » Queue Up Links for Later » Solo Technology on June 21st, 2007 7:36 am
   
   

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