Conflicting reports from Netscape cloud standalone Navigator

Contradicting widespread reports that Netscape would unbundle theirNavigator browser from the bloated Communicator suite, company spokesmanDave Bottoms said there were no such plans.

"I think people were speculating and trying to frame some quotes aroundit," he said.

He did, however, confirm that Netscape is considering such a split for afuture version of Communicator. The full version of Communicator requiresan 18 MB download, far greater than the 3.5 MB of the previous versionof Navigator.

In a total contradiction of this news, however, is Sam Sethi, a Netscapemarketing manager who reports that Netscape *will* release a standaloneNavigator 4.0 client on August 18. Sethi says the standalone browser willcome in at a 4-5 MB download and include Netcaster, Netscape's "push"component. It is expected to cost $29-39, whereas the full Communicatorsuite costs $59-89.

"You'll see Netscape coming back hard in the consumer war," he said. "Thewhole aim is to get back the hearts and minds of consumers. If we're goingto win the server war we have to win the browser war."

So which is it? Netscape's home page offers no clue at this time.

In related news, Netscape announced that a new release of Communicator,version 4.02, will be released this Friday to fix bugs and security holes.Additionally, Communicator 4.02 will include the final release version ofNetcaster. Also, Navigator 3.03, which was released last week, is finallygetting some play on the Netscape home page. According to the company, thisnew release of their previous-generation Web browser fixes the "tracker"security bug but offers no usability or interface changes over 3.02