[WEB4LIB] Netscape Navigator Stand-Alone

[Thomas Dowling]

With the arguable exception of smart browsing, I wasn't aware of any
features that 4.5 adds to the browser, so I don't see a lot of incentive
for Netscape to get a 4.5 standalone out the door.  They seem to be
concentrating on getting a 5.0 beta out the door by the end of the year,
and I think a lot of people would say that's where their emphasis should
rightly lie.

As for standalone IE...the browser and its associated mail component are
different programs.  Don't install (or unsinstall) Outlook Express and you
have IE standalone.  Or am I missing something?


Thomas Dowling
OhioLINK - Ohio Library and Information Network
tdowling at ohiolink.edu


----- Original Message -----
From: Monica King <moniking at hotmail.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 2:31 PM
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Netscape Navigator Stand-Alone


>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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