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Archive 2003 Q2
(30 June 2003)
Like previous Netscape versions this is based on the same source code as Mozilla, a new version of which was also released today.
It is now possible to resize large images so they fit the screen, a feature that appeared in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 a year ago. A single key is used to switch in and out of full-screen mode, which maximises the use of the display area by hiding all toolbars, leaving just the most basic controls. Improvements have also been made to the search facility, printing, file downloading and file saving.
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/default.jsp
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(30 June 2003)
Mozilla version 1.4 was released today, and is the last version of the Application Suite (codename SeaMonkey). The development path will now split, with the browser and email client being developed separately under new names.
The browser has been known as Firebird or Mozilla Navigator (it was originally called Phoenix but this had to be changed due to trademark issues). In future the standalone browser will be called Mozilla Browser.
The email client has been known as Thunderbird or Mozilla Messenger, and will in future be called Mozilla Mail. (that's enough product names - Ed)
Confused? The Mozilla Branding page explains everything (except Gecko, Camino, Chimera...) (I said no more product names!!! - Ed)
www.mozilla.org/roadmap/branding.html
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(26 June 2003)
The latest version of Lindows is said to be even easier to use, and includes Plug & Play support plus the blocking of spam and popup adverts. The company also claim that LindowsOffice is compatible with Microsoft document formats
including Word .doc files, Excel .xls files and PowerPoint .ppt files, allowing the exchange of documents with Microsoft users but at a much lower cost.
www.lindows.com
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(26 June 2003)
Microsoft have released a fourth service pack for Windows 2000 Professional, Server and Advanced Server. More than 650 issues have been fixed and SP4 is a recommended update. Most of the fixes have been previously issued as hotfixes and relate to security, application and hardware compatibility and operating system reliability. Support for USB 2.0 and the 802.1x wireless authentication protocol have also been added.
Microsoft have indicated that a fifth service pack is planned. Mainstream support for Windows 2000 is scheduled to last till 31 March 2005.
www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.asp
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(23 June 2003)
Nearly six months after the first public beta version was released, Apple's Safari browser has finally gone to full release. Some page rendering faults have been fixed and features include a pop-up blocker, integrated Google toolbar and tabbed browsing, which allows multiple pages to be opened without filling the screen with browser windows.
The browser is based on KDE's Konqueror kernel and is built for speed, informal tests indicating that it is the fastest browser for OS X. However, this has been achieved at the expense of some features that are found in most competitive products. Third-party cookies can be rejected but it is not possible to specify individual websites from which to accept or reject cookies. There are also no controls for passwords, certificate authentication, or encryption.
www.apple.com/safari/
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(16 June 2003)
Microsoft's recent decision not to release any further standalone versions of Internet Explorer will possibly affect Mac users more than any other group. The decision was widely expected after Apple launched a beta version of their Safari browser in January 2003, but the lack of full standards support means Mac users will still want to have access to another browser. This leaves the field wide open to alternatives such as Opera, iCab and Netscape, which have previously struggled to gain market share.
www.microsoft.com
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(25 May 2003)
In a surprise move, Opera have released an updated version of their browser for Macs. Since Apple released their Safari browser it had been assumed that there would be insufficient demand for Opera's product for it to be commercially viable, and Opera themselves had made comments to this effect.
However, the Norwegian company has committed itself to continuing its development on the Mac platform, with a release of Opera 7 scheduled for later this year.
www.opera.com/
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(10 May 2003)
AOL version 8.0 has been available in the US since late 2002, but its UK launch has been delayed by many months. On 01 May 2003 existing customers were advised that it will be available via download very soon, with CDs becoming available in early June 2003 when it goes on general release.
Contrary to press speculation last year it will continue to be based on Microsoft Internet Explorer (rather than Netscape's Gecko engine), and will contain a number of enhancements that will affect software testing requirements. One of the most popular features will be the popup blocker that eliminates unwanted popup advertisements. Depending on how this is implemented it may also block legitimate popup windows especially if they are not on the same domain as the current page.
Another popular feature will be the spam filter. AOL, MSN and Yahoo have launched an anti-spam campaign, and some other ISPs already filter e-mail traffic. However, there is always the possibility of filtering out legitimate e-mails, which could have a significant impact on e-mail marketing campaigns, newsletters, subscription renewals, viral marketing etc. The ISPs will not reveal the criteria they use for filtering, so testing is the only way to ensure that e-mails will be delivered.
www.aol.co.uk/download/
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(06 May 2003)
OS X version 10.2.6 has been released less than four weeks after version 10.2.5, after the latter was found to be particularly buggy. This is the 18th version of OS X to be released in two years.
www.info.apple.com/
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(14 April 2003)
Although only minor bug fixes were expected, application launch times and the opening of new browsing Tabs are both noticeably faster than on Beta 1. This is expected to be the final beta release, and the product is expected to go gold during Q3 2003 although Apple have not announced a date. Adoption is expected to be very high among the Mac community irrespective of the product's merits, simply because it is not made by Microsoft.
www.apple.com/safari/
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