June 11, 1997
Netscape Communicator 4.0 released
NetscapeA commercial web browser company — Navigator defined the early consumer web. shipped Communicator 4.0 on June 11, 1997 — a full internet suite with browser, email, news, and HTMLHyperText Markup Language — the standard markup for structuring web pages. editor bundled together.
What it was for
Communicator tried to own the whole desktop internet experience, not just browsing. It pushed Dynamic HTMLHyperText Markup Language — the standard markup for structuring web pages., improved JavaScript, and Netcaster push channels — but its bloated suite model struggled against MicrosoftThe software giant behind Windows, Office, Azure, and Xbox — founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.'s tighter IEInternet Explorer — Microsoft's browser that dominated the web in the 1990s and 2000s. integration in Windows.
Companies
- Netscape
Why it's here
Communicator 4 was NetscapeA commercial web browser company — Navigator defined the early consumer web.'s flagship before the open-source MozillaThe organization behind Firefox — advocates open web standards and internet privacy. pivot.
Why it mattered
It pushed DHTML and richer client-side pages while showing the limits of monolithic browser suites.
What it solved
Users wanted one program for web, mail, and authoring — NetscapeA commercial web browser company — Navigator defined the early consumer web. packaged the entire workflow.
Media
- ImageNetscape Communicator
Netscape Communications Corp. (original icon). Gabriel dos Santos (SVG version)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- Netscape Navigator 2.0 shippedMarch 18, 1996
- Internet Explorer 4.0 releasedSeptember 1997
- Mozilla source code open-sourcedMarch 31, 1998