The Internet browser, which first introduced me to the Internet in 1994 is no more. As of February 1st 2008, AOL has ceased development of the Netscape web browser and is no longer providing support.

AOL’s director of the Netscape brand, Tom Drapeau has recommended that users of Netscape based browsers switch to Mozilla Firefox. Indeed, the last few releases of Netscape have been based around the popular open-source Firefox browser.

Drapeau writes…

“Given AOL’s current business focus and the success the Mozilla Foundation has had in developing critically acclaimed products, we feel it’s the right time to end development of Netscape branded browsers, hand the reigns fully to Mozilla and encourage Netscape users to adopt Firefox.”

Netscape Navigator faced heavy competition from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer during the browser wars of the later 90s. The fact that Microsoft’s browser shipped with every new Windows PC meant that Netscape’s market share was significantly damaged. This was central to the anti-trust case against Microsoft.

Later acquired by AOL, most people agree that much of the original Netscape died with AOL’s purchase. There have been a number of developments in the browser market in recent years. Mozilla mutated into the Firefox of today and new contenders like Safari and Opera appeared on the scene.

It remains to be seen what will happen to Netscape’s small development team. Official support ended February 1st but the Netscape community forum is still active. The Netscape web portal lives on, for now at least.

Anyone feeling nostalgic can always install the Netscape themes and add ons available for Firefox. Just search for Netscape and you’ll find plenty!

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