Netscape Navigator Stand-Alone

[Monica King]

Andrew and others-
I am not only disappointed at Netscape's response, but surprised at 
their lack of initiative in continuing to develop this much needed 
product for computers in public environments.  I have given several 
presentations on workstation security and one of the first components of 
a good security plan involves using a browser without e-mail 
functionality  (that is, if your library wants to disallow this 
feature.)  

And here's something else for Netscape to consider, in Louisiana we are 
the recipients of a Gates Library Foundation grant which put "Gates" 
model computers in every public library in our state.  These models 
naturally came installed with IE.  The e-mail functions were removed 
using the NT policy editor. So, you have to wonder if Microsoft might 
soon consider developing their own stand-alone version in the near 
future.  

Also, according to a staff person from the Seattle agency that is 
implementing the grant, Bill Gates himself was informed of another 
advantageous feature of Netscape- the ability for users to do a "print 
preview" which he says should come out in the next version of IE.  
Again, this feature like the no e-mail feature is important in public 
Internet environments where often there is a charge incurred for 
printing. 

With so many computers being placed in publically accessible 
environments (particularly libraries) it amazes me the sparsity of 
products that address these very unique public computing needs.  
Netscape seemed to have an edge for once, but it doesn't seem like that 
will last for long.


Monica King
Ouachita Parish Public Library
Monroe, Louisiana

website  http://monroe.k12.la.us/~oppl

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