[WEB4LIB] Versions of Netscape

[Andrew Mutch]

Brent,

I'm not really aware of any additional functionality gained by moving to
Communicator 4.73, especially if you are going to disable Composer and Messenger
[unless you consider the "Shop" button an "improvement" to the toolbar.]  Plus,
if you are going to be running in Superkiosk mode, most of the "improvements" to
4.73 won't be available.  I haven't noticed any difference in performance with
Java applets [which would be the only possible difference I'm aware of] and both
seem to implement CSS in the same fashion [spottily!]  I don't think Netscape
made any major improvements to the browser between the release of 4.08 and 4.73.

Also, be aware that some of the "preferences" hacks that I described will cause
errors when the "prefs.js" file is set to read-only in any version of
Communicator above 4.5 [usually when you exit Communicator].  These don't occur
with 4.08, which is why I continue to recommend it for Public Access usage
[Internet, OPACs, etc.]

You might try some of the suggestions made about deleting or renaming certain
DLL files.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI




Huntington Woods Public Library wrote:

> Good Morning,
>
> I have a question about the different versions of Netscape.  I know about
> Netscape Standalone 4.08 (we use it on our public terminals with Librowse
> protecting the system).  However, I am curious if upgrading to 4.7 will give
> our patrons some added functionality and also get rid of the hassles of
> integrating Librowse.  If I do this, I need to find a way to disable AIM,
> Netscape Composer, Netscape Messenger.  What are your experiences with
> different versions of Netscape?
>
> I will be configuring the browser to super kiosk mode with many options
> disabled thanks to the many useful tutorials online (many can be found at
> Andrew Mutch's site http://tln.lib.mi.us/~nort/tech/netscape.html.).
> However, when experimenting with the full version of Netscape 4.7, when I
> click on an e-mail address, the e-mail client opens.  Again, can this be
> disabled?
>
> Thank you in advance for all your help.
>
> ***********************************************
> Brent J. Pliskow
> Technology Coordinator
> Huntington Woods Public Library
> http://www.huntington-woods.lib.mi.us