Is Netscape Losing the Browser Wars?

Part II: Why Are Major Linux Distributions Rejecting Netscape 6?

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Article Index

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Introduction

It's Either Netscape 6 or Mozilla

Netscape 6 Too Buggy

Mozilla Is Not Netscape's Only Linux Desktop Competitor

Bugs Are Not Everything

In Defense of Netscape 6

Conclusion

Resources & Links

Conclusion

Things could change. Netscape 6.5 hopefully will be enough of an improvement over Netscape 6.0 and 6.1 that the Linux and UNIX distributors, and Linux and UNIX users, no longer see Netscape 6 as too buggy and too unstable. Perhaps the AOL-Time-Warner people and its Netscape Division people will decide to make Netscape's distribution agreement terms acceptable to the Linux and UNIX distributors.

If all that happens, then Netscape might maintain a sigificant presence on the Linux and UNIX desktops. If not, it appears that Netscape will be off the Linux and UNIX desktops. Time will tell.

However, right now the ball is in AOL-Time-Warner's and its Netscape Division's court. Looking at the impact of the Netscape 6 vs. Mozilla trade-offs, no Linux and UNIX distribution decision makers seem to be beating down the Netscape Division's door to negotiate a Netscape 6 distribution agreement.

The irony here is that the Mozilla Organization was created by Netscape Corporation before AOL acquired what is now the Netscape Division. Yet now it is Mozilla that likely will replace Netscape on the Linux and UNIX desktops.

Stay tuned. The browser wars could get very interesting. Things could change. The weight-challenged lady has not yet sung her song.

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