Netscape's Open Directory Project Tops 675,000 Sites on First Anniversary

Search Blogs that Mention this News Release
Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services
Click this link to view linked Blogging Services
Netscape's Open Directory Project Tops 675,000 Sites on First Anniversary
 New Enhancements and Availability on Netcenter, Lycos and HotBot.com Ensure
                      Continued Growth and Global Reach

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- On the one-year anniversary
of its Open Directory Project, Netscape(R), a subsidiary of AOL (NYSE: AOL),
announced that the directory is growing so rapidly that it has more than
doubled in size every three months since its inception and has established
itself as a leading Internet directory. Netscape will promote the continued
growth of the Open Directory by making it available on Netcenter and by making
it easier for individuals to contact fellow contributors with questions and
comments with the newly integrated AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ
services.
    Netscape's Open Directory is the first Internet directory search service
built by the Web community at large and is an easy and fast way to find
information relevant to users needs. Unlike closed proprietary directories
that rely on small in-house editorial teams, the Open Directory empowers the
Web community to review and categorize sites based on their area of interest
and expertise. The Open Directory offers 675,000 sites in over
100,000 categories from 229 countries in 44 languages, and is available today
at http:/dmoz.org.
    "The growth of the Open Directory demonstrates the power of the open
source movement and the enthusiasm of the Web community," said Barry Schuler
president of the AOL Interactive Services Division. "The Open Directory's
growth is unmatched by any other directory of its kind in the world. The
integration of Instant Messenger and ICQ will enhance this growth while
providing a unique opportunity to add to the directory by suggesting sites,
communicating with the contributors and even becoming contributors
themselves."
    With the integration of AIM and ICQ, users can easily communicate with the
Open Directory contributors to suggest new sites and to ask questions. By
simply clicking on a contributor profile users can find contact information
for AIM, ICQ and e-mail. In addition, a newly integrated content tool allows
contributors to quickly and easily publish questions and receive answers which
help users better navigate the Open Directory.
    Schuler continued:  "The Open Directory Project is a powerful search
services platform because it is the only directory that scales to the size of
the Web."
    To promote continued growth of the Open Directory, Netscape makes it
available to anyone under a free use license. To date, several leading search
companies including Lycos and HotBot.com have integrated the Open Directory
into their services. In addition, Netscape announced today that it now uses
the Open Directory as the primary search directory on its leading Internet
portal, Netcenter.
    Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the
world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and
e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates:  two worldwide Internet
services, America Online, with more than 17 million members, and CompuServe,
with approximately 2 million members; several leading Internet brands
including ICQ and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM
portals; and the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers. Through its
strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers
easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies
operating in the Net Economy.
    Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at
home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling
corporate sales at 650-937-2555.

    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. Other product and brand names are
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Netscape Communications Corporation
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, 650-937-4927, or
tyler@netscape.com