IBM and Netscape Co-Develop International Communicator for Systems Worldwide
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Netscape, a subsidiary of
America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), today announced that Netscape(R)
Communicator client software is available in more languages and on more
platforms than any other browser on the market today. Netscape Communicator
software is now available in 23 languages on over a half-dozen platforms due
to the joint development initiatives between IBM and Netscape, giving over
200 million Internet users in 125 countries the opportunity to use Netscape
Communicator in their native language. The languages include US English, UK
English, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese
(Traditional), Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish,
Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish and
Slovenian.
Netscape worked closely with IBM (NYSE: IBM), which is bundling and
distributing Communicator 4.51 in 23 languages with its Windows, OS/2 and AIX
systems and software products internationally. The IBM agreement is one of
several relationships designed to reach more than 99 percent of today's
Internet user base in their native languages. Other platform vendors including
Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Silicon Graphics, DEC and Apple Computer
also distribute international versions of Netscape Communicator. In total,
international versions of Communicator have been distributed by many OEMs and
more than 23,500 Unlimited Distribution members worldwide.
"Netscape's goal has always been to provide the best browsing and email
software for users around the globe. This relationship with IBM plays a
critical role in making Netscape Communicator available to everyone
everywhere, regardless of language or location," said Bob Lisbonne, senior
vice president of client products at Netscape. "Since Netcenter content and
services are integrated into Communicator, international customers can now
easily access international versions of Netcenter with the click of a button
and quickly find local Web sites with Netscape's innovative Smart Browsing
functionality."
"IBM is a global company doing business in over 200 countries. It's
important for our international customers to have the same accessibility to
information on the Internet as our customers here in the United States have,"
said Jeff Smith, vice president of development, IBM Network Computing
Software. "We've worked closely with Netscape to deliver these important
enhancements which will ensure the expansion and growth of e-business
worldwide."
Nearly 32 million non-English speaking Netscape users now have the
Communicator user interface in their native language for email, composition,
browsing, and access to regional news and content. A single click to the
browser home page or the Netscape "N" icon will take international
Communicator customers to a localized Netcenter page in the UK, France,
Germany, Japan, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Latin
America, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan. Customers will also have full
access to the English-language Netcenter through Netcenter integration in
Communicator. As additional local content or content for new countries is
available it will automatically be available in Communicator.
The localized versions of Communicator 4.51 include enhanced Smart
Browsing features with local language keywords in French, German and Japanese
to help people find what they want on the Internet more quickly and easily.
Instead of remembering complicated Internet addresses (URLs), users can now
access thousands of native-language Web sites by entering common keywords in
their location field and are immediately directed to Web sites in their own
country. For example, a German use can type in "Volkswagen" in the location
field of a German version of Netscape Navigator and the browser will take them
to http://www.volkswagen.de/international/deutsch/index.htm. Smart Browsing's
What's Related functionality is available with regional content for all
23 languages.
Additional language and platform support is available through
vendor-participants in Netscape's Universal Localization Program, which helps
companies respond to growing demand for localized Communicator software on new
languages and platforms. Since the Universal Localization Program's
establishment a year ago, participants have signed up for 17 translation
projects to offer localized Communicator versions in languages such as
Bulgarian, Catalan and Hawaiian.
International versions of Communicator 4.51 also ship with the English
version of AOL Instant Messenger 2.0 with Buddy Chat. It allows users to send
real-time text messages and Web links to friends either on a one-to-one basis
or as a group in many languages. Additional features include Search, to help
individuals use the Web and locate friends, family and business associates and
one-click buttons to connect users to other Netscape Netcenter services.
Pricing and Availability
Communicator 4.51 is available for free in the 23 branded languages (US
English, UK English, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Chinese (Simplified),
Chinese (Traditional), Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Dutch,
Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish
and Slovenian) for Windows 95 and Windows NT, while many non-English versions
are available on other platforms such as OS/2, Macintosh PowerPC and Solaris.
Communicator can be downloaded free of charge from any Netcenter Download
location ( http://www.netscape.com/computing/download/index.html ). A CD
version is also available for $10 U.S., plus shipping and handling.
Netscape 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. 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
corporate sales at 650-937-2555.
NOTE: Netscape, Netscape Navigator and the Communicator logos are
registered trademarks of Netscape in the United States and other countries.
Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of
Netscape Communications, which may be registered in other countries. Other
product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Netscape Communications Corporation
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CONTACT:
Catherine Corre of Netscape Communications
Corporation, 650-937-4046, or corre@netscape.com
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