BOBZOZUS  I must say that I am most chagrined that this will be the last build of Netscape- and that I just decided to give it a try now. I can not believe how much better it is on my system than Firefox. It does not make sense, but it is true! On Firefox- I was getting significant pauses on loading pages that have been somehow fixed by using Netscape 9.

At first, I thought it was because I had different add-ons in Firefox than what I was using in Netscape. Well, I found out that Netscape does use the same plug-in that are available in Firefox. Netscape was quite easy to set-up like Firefox.. In fact, they really are indistinguishable in look.

I also tried the Firefox 3 beta. To be honest, I still had the same performance issues. And, both Firefox browsers had an annoying leak where java script would bleed to other applications after switching from Firefox. Netscape does not have this difficulty, either.

Well, AOL does seem to have gotten this browser right, as well as their excellent AOL radio client. I am sorry to see Netscape go. However, it and Safari will be my main browsers until Firefox eclipses it in performance and features. In my opinion, it does not even come close to equally the stellar performance of Netscape 9. May she rest in peace!  
(Version 9.0.0.6)

DIAMOND  Its been updated to allow users to transfer data to new browsers with out being at risk from Firefoxs security Issues that were fixed in firefox 2.0.12 update.

Thats what release notes are for so you can look up a the reasons for updates via the link.

Yes this app is just a way to publicly test the beta versions of the gecko engines used in firefoxes NIghtly builds as most users won't go near them but put another app name on it and they will download the linked app.   
(Version 9.0.0.6)

ORION MK. V  If it's dead stop giving us new releases! It only confuses the issue. NN was, and still is a great browser, but geez, let it retire properly and pass the torch.  
(Version 9.0.0.6)

JAMUS  Please let this be the final release of this app. It should have gone to a peaceful grave years ago.  
(Version 9.0.0.6)

DOUG S.  I thought Netscape Navigator was dead? I read articles on Arstechnica, Slashdot, Engadget and Wired all saying that the browser was being put out to pasture with no future updates? Is this the final release for Mac or something?  
(Version 9.0.0.6)

STORMCHILD  Netscape 4 was the best browser in its day, but at this point I'm surprised they're still bothering to release new versions. I think it's time to stop beating this dead horse. Put a fork in it and let it die already; nobody has used this browser for years.  
(Version 9.0.0.6)

MACUPDATE ADMIN  Oh well, adios... I liked Navigator (9.0.0.5) much better than Firefox, which I do not like even a little bit. I really like Camino (1.5.4) best of all the so-called Mozilla browsers. "To each, his own."  
(Version 9.0.0.5)

::MILE::  Well, personally I think this was just another FireFox clone, since all those Gecko based browsers seem kind of similar to me...and I still prefer Safari on the Mac anyway...!

But even though this was among the better ones, it seems it's officially dead now, according to the news...?!?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7163547.stm

That revival didn't really last long now, dit it...?!  
(Version 9.0.0.5)

OICRAM  Netscape can be a copy of Firefox and maybe it hasn't all its addons but it is much faster than Firefox and I'm sticking to it. Hope that Mozilla keeps updating Netscape.  
(Version 9.0.0.5)

O5220803  It's an excellent, mature, browser for for the end-user who doesn't want a bunch of extensions to make it work!

Navigator is a a superb expansion of the Gecko browsing engine for the rest of us, who don't want to be bothered with hacks and geek issues! It's simple, secure, fast, stable and efficient! Kudos (again) to the Navigator Team for a fine application!   
(Version 9.0.0.4)

SADMAC  What's the point? It's just Firefox.Please, there are enough browsers already. And we don't need to go back but forward. Netscape was good in it's day. It's already in the trash.  
(Version 9.0.0.4)

KRIONI  "One of the original web browsers."

Well, sort of. I used the original Mac web browsers. First, the original web browser was named, aptly enough, WorldWideWeb, by Time Berners-Lee, the inventor of the http protocol (and thus the web itself).

The original two Mac web browsers were MacMosaic and MacWeb. I first used them in September 1994. Netscape's first public beta (0.90beta) was in October 1994, and it was great!

So, great history with Netscape. Then they got into a big battle with Microsoft and the feature bloat on both sides was horrible. Standards abandoned, poor performance, ugliness abounding. Not a good scene.

I suppose it's interesting to have a commercial version of Firefox, but I'm not sure I see the point.

Read more history at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browser  
(Version 9.0.0.4)

PETER COLE  Give it up guys - the world has moved on from Netscape.  
(Version 9.0.0.4)

JCRAIG  For me, Netscape lost all relevance after version 7 when they fired all of their developers and closed up shop (or shall I say AOL). Granted, anyone has the right to be in business, but their comeback was less than stellar. Version 8 was outsourced to some Canadian company, was never Mac-compatible, and lacked the features that made Netscape Netscape: integrated mail/address book, HTML composer, IRC, etc. So Version 9 is cross platform. At this point, it's all about ad revenue, getting you to use Netscape Search. The old Netscape's legacy (and most of their employees) lives on in Seamonkey and Firefox/Thunderbird. The Mac browser space is already crowded with excellent choices. If NS9 came back as a true internet suite, that might be something exciting. But another browser? Who cares...  
(Version 9.0.0.3)

NIAMOR  well, reading the previous reviews, i was curious to see by myself what can do this old boy. And i was quite disapointed. This app is really long to start. Safari starts maybe 2 or 3 time faster.

It's quite fast for loading pages, but again, Safari is really faster.

And concerning the content, there are a lot of bugs with the CSS interpretation, some crap (and old) interpretation of HTML, like the border of images with links, wrong dimensions of blocks, don't like some transparencies, ect...

Concerning GUI, there are few annoying lakes. For instance, you can't close a tab without to be on its page... what a wasted time !

Ok, there are a lot of options and preferences, as in FireFox, that there are not in Safari. But all i want is to see fast and precisely the pages i want. So i keep with Safari than this big stuff !  
(Version 9.0.0.3)

FYREFLYE  Despite the current race for the Gold among open source Mozilla browsers Netscape is still on top as far as I'm concerned. Now if only the designer of the Oxid icons theme would make these available for Netscape...  
(Version 9.0.0.3)

MISTERBRISBY  The earliest betas of Navigator 9 had some problems, but those have been eliminated and Navigator 9 replaced Camino as my default browser.

It IS faster than Firefox and Camino (at least on my system) and its very cool that you can use Firefox´s plugins and add-ons.  
(Version 9.0.0.3)

S P L A T !  yeah...!!

totally agree with others people in here...

Navigator really rocks!!

and like others, its my new favorite web "navigator"... and (until now) works soo great!  
(Version 9.0.0.3)

VANDAL  Not sure why, since it's obviously based on Firefox code, but I have to agree with an earlier review and say that Navigator is definitely much more responsive than Firefox itself. Netscape has worked it's way back onto my Mac for the first time in about eight years. The fact that a lot of the FF add ons also work with the browser doesn't hurt, either.  
(Version 9.0.0.1)

ZX81  Navigator is back!

I hesitated before downloading Navigator and did it for old times sake ; I'm so glad I did it!

My profile was swiftly imported from Firefox (I had the choice between all my browsers), the GUI is clean, simple, all the sites I've visited so far have been displayed without any problem, and the old icon is back!

A great joy to use and not only for old timers like me.

So far, I've been using (and not only trying) Shiira, Flock, Omniweb, Camino, Safari of course, Opera (I have given up iCab) because I love browsers (nobody is perfect) and I design and run a site.

So far, Camino, Safari and now Navigator come on top of my list.  
(Version 9.0)

PIZZACAKE  Firefoxy works with Netscape 9.0 if you want mac widgets on web pages. Drop Netscape onto Firefoxy app and choose version 1.5.  
(Version 9.0)

GEEPZ  [733 MHz PowerPC G4 running 10.2.8]

My new default browser. Feels snappier than Firefox 2.0.0.7, lacks a few of its minor irritations. All my extensions worked (with the exception of ForecastFox Enhanced). A nice, compact default theme (although extension icons stick out like a sore thumb). This is great work and I hope they keep it up. Worth a test drive, but I don't think it will convert any Camino users.

In some ways, I wish they would have put their efforts into SeaMonkey. It would be nice to see the all-in-one approach pick up more steam, both as an alternative to Firefox and as a competitor to Opera.  
(Version 9.0)

TOMIS  I have the same issues with Navigator that I have with Firefox. It doesn't use native interface widgets and therefor it feels like a cheep port from Windows.

How many times do I have to say it. Use native widgets for the platform you're targeting, or don't even bother porting.

And this weatherbug thing is a buggy mess. I can't disable it. View>Toolbars>Weatherbug, totally ignores the fact that I've unchecked it.

Do the Netscape developers even use Macs?  
(Version 9.0)

SOUTHPAWAMI  Navigator... it came back. Netscape was nice... until 6 bombed. 6.2 was a fix, but IE had the reins by then. Netscape from then on was tolerable, and even SeaMonkey was better(a twin of sorts). Then, Firefox 2.0+ was amazingly slow on a default Intel install without more memory or a faster hard drive than the normal 5400rpm, and Navigator 9 waltzes in, fast on a default setup, as useful as Firefox 2, and making up for Firefox programmers not having enough time to test enough on a default install on any simple new macbook. In other words, if you don't have the extra money for the RAM or the new Hitachi HD for your Intel 950 Graphics Macbook, stick with Navigator 9.

As for OmniWeb, Safari, Shiira, iCab, and Opera... I'm going nuts trying to cater a little to them. Camino, IE7, Firefox, SeaMonkey, and of course Navigator(which is Firefox with a different face and much faster on Mac than the fox) all show my floats fine that I hand programmed. Hopefully today I'll learn what one simple thing I'm missing, but until then, as amazing as OmniWeb is(and it is pretty amazing, customer support is fantastic), my floats are in a painful sort. And I would ignore them except for one glaring issue... Opera is the web browser on the Wii. Given the popularity of the Wii and that every friend of mine wants or has it, there's little choice.

Navigator 9 is nice... the Page Style selection from the server that's in Firefox, but not in Camino is present. So is page info. It doesn't pass the Acid2 test like OmniWeb. And iCab seems to pretend to pass it, I know I've crashed iCab going back and forth to the test. So, until the fox is 3.0, I suppose Navigator won't pass acid2. Safari 3 passes the acid2 test, but it's in beta. Shiira and Opera also pass the Acid2 test. My only quest is if I say float: left... shouldn't the browsers that pass acid2 float the next div by the div that says float: left ?  
(Version 9.0)

O5220803  NOW, this is one excellent browser, which incorporates the key features I want and frequently use. Incredibly sophisticated, stable and fast; a really top-notch adaption of the Gecko Engine to a practical browsing application.

If you don't use it, you're missing a really superb surfing experience. Use it. Enjoy it! Kudos to the Navigator Team for a fine product. Navigator is my default browser.  
(Version 9.0)

TUISHIMI  Netscape basically IS firefox, with special addons. I like its look and feel, and played with it in BETA for awhile... not bad. Navigator is nice but its primary purpose is to integrate with the Netscape site, which it also does pretty well.

I didn't want to post a review because while I like it, I am still an OmniWeb fan and also prefer Camino over Firefox and Netscape Navigator for its simplicity and Mac OS X integration.  
(Version 9.0)

SPARTAN  What a surprise :-) Netscape Navigator 9 is a great browser, better imho than Camino and Firefox. Firefox seems more and more bloated, and the last version is slow on my computer (1.5 GHz PPC G4). Once launched, Netscape is close to Safari.

Definitely worth a try. Welcome back Netscape.

[+]

Compatibility is great

Works with Firefox add-ons (Flashblock)

Lots of configuration options

Bookmark import is OK

So far, stable

Nice interface

A couple of cool tools (mini browser, weather icons)

[-]

Launch time inferior to Sarafi's

OS X integration might be better (shortcuts, spellchecker): -1 Features. I hope there will be an Aqua port  
(Version 9.0)

DANA SUTTON  I agree with Blee. This is like being contacted by some chick I hung out with ten years ago in Boston who wants to see me, only now I'm got a wife and two kids and am living in Jersey.   
(Version 9.0)

BLEE  Holy Cow welcome back to 1995! I'm definitely going to give Netscape a spin this thing is Legend. The old logo brings back memories!  
(Version 9.0rc1)

MADMACMAD  faster better & faster as all others with the Sides i use !!!!

forget slowly Firefox.... even faster as Safari...

i really begin to love Netscape gain... it's 10 Years ago hehe  
(Version 9.0rc1)

ORION MK. V  Can't really see the point. or mac we have plenty of great browser options based off the gecko code. For multiple platforms we have FireFox, Opera and even Safari (though it's still lame for Windows). Why bother bringing Navigator back?  
(Version 9.0rc1)

VIRTUALRUFFY  No email? WTF! I wrote them to ask them why they even bothered releasing this if they don't included integrated email -let alone skipping the mac for version 8 completely while their site said 'OSX version coming soon' for the last 2 years.

They stated that email is coming. We'll see.

I've looked at this version but won't bother using it until it has email. Sticking with Netscape 7.2 until then. It looks way too much like a windows version and the preference menus are limited and rather crappy.  
(Version 9.0b3)

HOTFREAKS  Why on earth would anyone use this? This isnt a rhetorical question -- I'd like to know what folks' motivations are for picking Netscape in 2007. It seems pretty pointless to me.  
(Version 9.0b3)

ANON BUD  What? No Services?

Any App that is worthy of Mac HAS TO INCLUDE SERVICES!!!!!

And here I got my opes up with all the great new features of Navigator.

No Services?

No Good!  
(Version 9.0b2)

JEDIK  Welcome back, Netscape. =)

PS: there are no ads. As someone else said, it's just Firefox 'dressed up' as Netscape and with some extensions that may be useful if you are a Netscape.com member.  
(Version 9.0b2)

JCT  Wow, this brings back memories! Seems slick thus far.  
(Version 9.0b2)

AMALGAMATED INC  i know if anyone else thinks so but this definitely seems faster, snappier than Firefox. Why should it be, could it be I haven't a clue, but it does, IMHO.  
(Version 9.0b2)

TOMIS  The correct description would be:

Netscape revolutionized Internet browsing by providing an easier and more personal way to use the Internet. It was designed around the things people did most online - browsing, e-mail and newsgroups - and brought them all together for the most convenient and customized experience possible at the time.

There are some cool add-ons included that differentiate it from Firefox. But that's it basically. Just some built-in add-ons and a new skin. The development efforts would be better spent improving Firefox than trying in vain to keep an old dead brand name product alive while Netscape.com tries (badly) to compete with Digg.com  
(Version 9.0b2)

MAXBOOK  who needs netscape?

(firefox = netscape without ad)  
(Version 9.0b2)

DRAW  Absolute ridiculously: In times of multilingual proggys this one speaks just english. Good but not good enough!  
(Version 9.0b2)

O5220803  Nice to have NS seriously back on my Mac! Truly, a well-crafted application! It's nice that NS is compatible with many of the popular FFX Add-ons. Great job NS! Thanks!   
(Version 9.0b1)

T3DO3  Although it's just a skinned Firefox app, the logo brings back the memories and some new features, such as minibrowser. Great job!   
(Version 9.0b1)

BOBWEINER  Runs fast on my G5 and my Macbook Pro. I really like the Mini Browser feature - quite handy when I'm on MacUpdate or Macsurfer. Linkpad is another great addition that sets this browser apart from the rest. Well done, Netscape!  
(Version 9.0b1)

THREEDEE912  A bit sluggish at times on my G4 running 10.4.9, but it works. Email and composer have been removed, but Netscape blog says they might be coming back sometime soon.

Overall a decent Firefox-like browser (because it shares code from Firefox) that integrates well with it's social website.  
(Version 9.0b1)

NETTWERK  Thank you and welcome back... :)

At the moment it's work very heavy...And many times freeze at loading...i watch About Navigator and all engine from Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 only Design... :/  
(Version 9.0b1)

ROGERTJACKSON  While it's nice to see Netscape back, I wish it had come back with something innovative.   
(Version 9.0b1)

RONALD PRICE  As a browser Navigator is pretty much just Firefox. So I just copied my Firefox profile over to the Navigator profile folder and it works just like Firefox - all my prefs, bookmarks and extensions just as I like them. Navigator did warn me CookieSafe is not compatible but it works fine. That is the biggest issue I have had. Netscape Navigator 9 is a simple drop-in replacement for Firefox as far as I can tell.

This is subjective but I like the new theme. It is very clean and minimalist but the buttons are clearly legible and their functions are obvious for the most part. For some of the new stuff like Linkpad not so much but only because I didn't know what a linkpad was. Now I know and the button is easily recognised.

I haven't monkeyed with the mail and chat-social networking stuff so I can't say how well they work. The News menu brings up the stories listed in the menu/sidebar but I have not tried adding/removing feeds.  
(Version 9.0b1)

OTRANVEX  i'll try it ;-)

welcome back from me too!  
(Version 9.0b1)

SEPTIMUS  Welcome back.  
(Version 9.0b1)

VANDAL  Holy cow, the dead walk the earth. I thought Netscape had been abandoned for good. Here's hoping they can yet make something out of this once great browser again.  
(Version 9.0b1)

SMTIPS  Nice, but the themes selection to add more themes takes you to the firefox themes page addons.mozilla.org, and I tried a couple and of course they are incompatible. Where's the list of themes and addons that works with THIS browser? Why would I waste my time scrolling through hundreds of themes and addons to maybe find some that work with this one?

Get a real list of addons that work with this and I might actually USE it, the speed seems good but the default navigator design has to go. I'm looking for an alternative to that sucky firefox and Safari.  
(Version 9.0b1)

THREEDEE912  Yep. It's back. I've been reading the Netscape blog every here and there. There's only been like 5 people working on it ever since AOL fired everyone at Netscape. Good to hear that they haven't forgotten the Mac community.  
(Version 9.0b1)

NMEMMERT3  This browser is basically like Firefox, but it has some nice features that firefox does not have, like the link pad. I recommend this browser!  
(Version 9.0b1)

DP-G4-450GUY  Not bad!

Good to see Netscape back in the Mac OS game again.

Sure, Camino/Firefox/SeaMonkey/Netscape all use the same engine, but the "variations on a theme" serve the users well.

For a beta-1, seems pretty stable / fast.  
(Version 9.0b1)

OOSHNOO  Why not just rename FireFox to Netscape. That way Netscape will then have some sort of a reputation as a decent browser again.  
(Version 9.0b1)

GREGSGRAPHICS  This app's still around?! I thought IE killed this thing years ago!  
(Version 9.0b1)

SHANE SMITH  I'm with D9, what is with all these different browsers using the mozilla core. Is there really a need for another browser?  
(Version 9.0b1)

D9  I'm getting really confused as to why we have a Netscape Navigator, a Mozilla Sea Monkey, and a Firefox browser which are to some degree all built on the same technology.

Of course, this doesn't include the hybrids like Camino and Flock!

Now using >>>   
(Version 9.0b1)

R GRAY  Netscape is so disgusted with 6.x.x that they are redirecting all URL requests for Netscape 6 to download screens for 7.1. It's all but impossible to find a download page for 6.2.3 on Netscape.com.  
(Version 6.2.3)

DAN  Good but too bulky. The browser is too large and slow. Sadly is has been outdone by IE. Stable though, and i like the composer. Otherwise it is thumbs down.  
(Version 6.2.3)

KITTY SCHWENDENER  If I downloaded netscape 6.2.3 full install, I can't understand why it displays netscape 6 full install.  
(Version 6.2.3)

C.F.  I don't know why everyone is bitchin' about Netscape 6. It works, is stable and so far NO security issue compare to IE which is , ok, a little faster but certainly not more stable. And you can have NS legally free and supported by a big company.  
(Version 6.2.3)

AQUAFISH  Well its slow clunky and I dont like the idea of one all in one internet prg

I like this for my G4 500 OSX

IE- First Browser

OmniWeb-Secondary Browser

Proteus-IM all service

AOLIM-Serivice

Entourage-Mail

netscape mail is a good idea but the IM and all that stuff slows it down if netscape would separate them into a bunch of prgs it would be a lot more effective. Also there is not really any plug in support. There are still bugs in the crappy interface. Although Netscape can still be good to have around for some but not for me so value is 4/ It is also more stable than the past so its a 3/ features there therre but some support isnt so a 4. Still netscape needs a new interface really really bad. Out of all the things the interface is the worst. I hope netscape can pull me back in the palm of there hand because i miss netscape at least the way it used to be

Written fully awake by Aquafish it was also written quickly so I dont want to here it

=)  
(Version 6.2.2)

BRIAN CLARK  This is just a security/bug fix release. There will be a version of Netscape based on Mozilla 0.9.9+ or more likely Mozilla 1.0 coming soon.  
(Version 6.2.2)

ANONYMOUS  Could be so much better if they'd build a version out of Mozilla 0.9.8 or 0.9.9 as there are MAJOR improvements in the newer Mozillas (I can't fathom why they're still using Mozilla 0.9.4...). It really does only deserve a minor 0.0.1 version increase. Mozilla is so much better than this.  
(Version 6.2.2)

ARTEMY  Unfortunately, Netscape is dead... :( It's very sadly... It was my favorite browser in Classic. 6.x is strange, slow and uncomfortable... Even OmniWeb is much faster and better!  
(Version 6.2.2)

GREG  I can't recommend this version of netscape, not for web surfing. It takes almost an entire geological epoch to load and is almost as slow browsing. It is worth downloading only as an emergency broswer (occassionally it will load a page that won't load Explorer) and for the Netscape composer feature, which might be useful for those in need of a free application for building web pages.  
(Version 6.2.1)

ZEUSZEN  Gorgeously, clear "Modern" interface. Many unnecessary features (sidebar, added mail welcome/menu window, much of it as if simply for novelty's sake. No mail notification, sound defaults to system beep. Can't (occasionally) access sites, which are perfectly up and active. No plugins installed. Download of plugins slow, stalling with unintelligible text fields and blank progress bars. No helper applications carried from Internet control panel; types impossible to configure for novices. Helper apps do not jive with About Plugins, etc. etc.

I am completely baffled by such an (apparent) absence of quality control. Doesn't anybody check these things???

My favourite browsers? -Communicator 4.7.8 and the venerable 4.0.8!!! If only I could have those with that gorgeous "Modern" scheme! I want that quality control job with Netscape!

About my rating: Features: yes, plenty. Way too many of them!

Ease of use: Several staircases down from 4.x!

Value: No, not really (aesthetically appealing though!)

Stability: Surprisingly Robust!!!   
(Version 6.2)

DAM  What the hell is Netscape waiting for? While this version seems far more stable than previous 6.x versions, it's far from the ease of use and stability of Explorer (I hate to say it but sadly, it's true)... And Netsape is still slower than IE. Why?  
(Version 6.2)

ED S.  after a day of use 6.2 seems faster, smoother and more stable than 6.1 beta for osx. While some plugins are still not supported, some of the expected ones and other previously missing funtions are now here. As usual it keeps all preferences from previous versions. i will admit I am dissapointed at netscape for being so slow to fully support osx. But i am also still mad about their selling out to aol which might be reason for slowness. I also think omni and opera are worth watching and may overtake netscape if given a chance. Not enough new stuff here to get applause but a welcome release at this time none the less.  
(Version 6.1)