Netscape Navigator
Netscape Navigator was a pioneering web browser developed by Netscape Communications Corporation, which significantly influenced the early development of the World Wide Web. Here are some key details:
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History:
- Netscape Communications Corporation was founded in 1994 by Marc Andreessen and Jim Clark.
- The first version of Navigator, initially called Mosaic Netscape (due to its roots in the NCSA Mosaic browser), was released in December 1994.
- The name was officially changed to Netscape Navigator with the release of version 1.0 in December 1994.
- By 1995, Navigator had become the most popular browser, capturing over 80% of the market share.
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Features:
- It introduced several features that were innovative for the time, including bookmarks, JavaScript support, and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) for secure transactions.
- Navigator was also known for its integration of plug-ins, allowing for media playback and other enhancements.
- It supported frames, which allowed for more complex web layouts.
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Impact:
- Navigator played a significant role in the Browser Wars, competing directly with Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
- Its success led to the introduction of web standards and significantly pushed the development of the web as a platform for business and personal use.
- The Netscape Navigator source code was eventually released as open-source, leading to the creation of Mozilla Foundation and projects like Mozilla Firefox.
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Decline:
- Microsoft's aggressive bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows led to a decline in Navigator's market share.
- By the late 1990s, Internet Explorer overtook Navigator in popularity.
- Netscape Communications Corporation was acquired by AOL in 1999, and Navigator development slowed down.
- The last major release, version 9.0, came out in 2007, after which support was discontinued.
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