MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Netscape Communications and
open source developers are celebrating the first anniversary, March 31, 1999,
of the release of Netscape's browser source code to mozilla.org -- the
organization that manages open source developers working on the next
generation of Netscape's browser and communication software. This event
marked a historical milestone for the Internet as Netscape became the first
major commercial software company to open its source code, a trend that has
since been followed by several other corporations. Since the code was first
published on the Internet, thousands of individuals and organizations have
downloaded it and made hundreds of contributions to the software. Mozilla.org
is now celebrating this one year anniversary with a party Thursday night in
San Francisco.
"There was a lot of excitement when we first announced we were going to
open our code up to the world," said Brendan Eich, principal engineer of
mozilla.org. "One year later we are in the middle of a revolution. Open
source software is gaining momentum, as shown by the growing popularity of
Linux and the number of major companies now embracing the open source
development model."
In just one year, mozilla.org has witnessed these major milestones:
* March 31, 1998 -- Netscape Communicator source code posted on the
Internet via mozilla.org
* April 1998 -- Over 100,000 downloads of source code from mozilla.org in
two weeks; source code for the next-generation layout engine (Gecko)
added to the site; James Clark contributes his XML parser to mozilla.org
* May 1998 -- Netscape LDAP Directory SDK source code released to
mozilla.org
* June 1998 -- Source code to Netscape software build tools, Bonsai and
Tinderbox, released to mozilla.org
* July 1998 -- Open Java Interface (OJI) project started to enable any 3rd
party virtual machine to work with Communicator
* August 1998 -- mozillaZine.org, an independent news and information site
covering mozilla.org, goes online
* September 1998 -- Hungry Programmers makes available the Japhar virtual
machine, which takes advantage of the Open Java Interface
* October 1998 -- mozilla.org posts product roadmap that includes next
browser release based on Gecko and a cross platform user interface
* November 1998 -- Steve Case announces AOL's support for mozilla.org in
an open letter (http://www.mozilla.org/stevecase.html)
* December 1998 -- Developer's preview of Gecko browser engine released.
This fast and small browser engine fits on a floppy disk
* January 1999 -- CITIC Software releases a developer preview of DocZilla
to the public. DocZilla is a SGML/XML/HTML browser and uses the open
source Gecko browser engine
* February 1999 -- Revisions to Netscape Public License of Communicator
posted for comments to facilitate broader participation in open source
development
* March 31, 1999 -- One-year anniversary of Netscape's release of
Communicator source code to mozilla.org. Second developer preview of
Gecko browser engine (developer.netscape.com) released
"From the source release to the nightly builds to the open bug reporting
system, mozilla.org's open browser development provides an accountability that
the Web development community desperately needs," said Chris Nelson, editor of
mozillaZine. "The result will be a browser that the entire Web community can
be proud of."
"In a year's time, mozilla.org has gone from being a beautiful idea to a
beautiful reality," said Michael Leventhal of CiTEC Information -- developers
of DocZilla ( http://www.doczilla.com ). "There are very few people outside
the mozilla effort that know that yet -- that know how good mozilla.org really
is. The Web is about to receive an extraordinary gift. And this is just the
beginning."
Mozilla.org is supported by America Online, which recently acquired
Netscape. Steve Case, founder and chief executive officer of AOL, confirmed
that the company will continue to support mozilla.org's open source efforts
and preserve its neutrality.
To commemorate mozilla.org's first birthday, attendees at the
San Francisco party will receive a CD that contains a snapshot of the latest
Netscape Communicator source code -- including the second developer's preview
of the Gecko browser engine. Gecko is at the heart of the next version of
Communicator and will make the final product faster and more standards
compliant than any previous product from Netscape. Information on the
birthday party can be found at http://www.mozilla.org/party/1999/faq.html.
Netscape Communications is a leading provider of software and services for
businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in
the emerging Net Economy. The company offers a full line of enterprise
software solutions, professional services, and a leading Internet portal to
help companies build, buy or outsource Internet applications that drive
revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and create new levels of business
efficiency. Recently acquired by America Online Inc., Netscape is based in
Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at
http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling
650-937-2555 (corporate sales).
NOTE: Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape
FastTrack Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot, and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel
logos are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the
United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and
service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation,
which may be registered in other countries. AOL Instant Messenger is a
trademark of America Online, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of
their respective owners.
SOURCE Netscape Communications Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://home.netscape.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/585525.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 585525
CONTACT:
Nathan Tyler of Netscape Communications,
650-937-4927
|
