New Netscape-Built Service Combines the Best of Internet Search Based
On Netscape's Innovative Open Directory to Deliver Relevant Results Quickly
And Easily
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of AOL's ongoing
strategy to develop the best search products and services that make the
Internet easier, faster and more convenient to navigate, Netscape(R), a
subsidiary of AOL (NYSE: AOL), today announced "Netscape Search" -- the next
generation Internet search service for Netscape's leading Internet portal,
Netcenter. Netscape Search is built on Netscape's fast growing Open Directory
Project and utilizes Netscape Smart Browsing technology, that allows consumers
to search the Web using simple words and phrases right from the browser
location bar, to deliver accurate and relevant search results quickly and
conveniently.
The new Netscape Search is available today at http://search.netscape.com
and throughout Netscape Netcenter. By entering a term such as "austin
powers," Netscape Search delivers a comprehensive list of relevant results
including the official Austin Powers Web site, related Netcenter content and
relevancy ranked categories and sites drawn from the more than 675,000 hand
selected listings in the Open Directory. The service also features a new
cutting-edge technology from Google, Inc. which searches over 60 million
additional Internet sites to deliver extremely relevant and high-quality
search results.
"Today's busy Internet user is looking for the fastest and most convenient
way to find what they need," said Barry Schuler, president of the AOL
Interactive Services Group. "Our goal with Netscape Search is to leverage the
growth and breadth of the Open Directory to create a service that's robust and
easily accessible from Netcenter and the browser, so that users can use it
anywhere on the Internet."
Schuler continued: "This announcement follows on the heels of our Inktomi
agreement to provide Web search services across the AOL network. Netscape
Search is a strategic service for a key AOL property, Netscape Netcenter, and
is a critical step in AOL's ongoing efforts to revolutionize how people use
Internet search services."
"We are looking forward to working with an industry leader such as
Netscape. By incorporating Google's innovative search technology into
Netscape Search the companies will offer one of the best search experiences on
the Web," said Sergey Brin, president of Google, Inc. "Google is committed to
offering the best search experience for our partners and users."
Netscape Search was built in response to extensive user studies and is
designed to offer consumers the features and services they want for navigating
the Internet. Netscape Search employs several first of a kind features to
offer consumers the following benefits:
Relevant and Up to Date Results
* In user testing, Netscape found that what consumers want most in a
directory search service are relevant results. In response, Netscape
developed a relevancy ranking technology that lists the most likely selections
at the top of a results page. Unlike competing directory services that
provide cumbersome lists of alphabetically sorted search results, Netscape
Search lists the results you want to see first.
Netscape Search is the first Internet search service to employ freshness
dating in the reviewed categories and because more than 12,000 contributors
are constantly reviewing sites and updating categories, Netscape Search also
delivers virtually "no dead links."
Convenient and Fast
* Smart Browsing makes Internet search faster and easier by enabling
consumers to search the Internet right from Netscape Communicator's location
bar. Simply type the word "search," a space and a term such as "search
yankees" or "search health" and Netscape Search will deliver a list of sites
and categories related to the subject. Smart Browsing allows consumers to
conveniently search from where ever they are on the Internet -- avoiding the
extra step of going to a search page to enter their search terms.
Comprehensive and Fast Growing List of Sites
* Netscape Search is built on Netscape's Open Directory Project, a fast
growing and comprehensive directory of the Internet. Unlike competing closed
directories that rely on small in-house editorial teams, the Open Directory
empowers the Web community -- currently at more than 12,000 contributors -- to
find and categorize sites based on contributor's areas of interest and
expertise. The Open Directory offers 675,000 sites in over 100,000 categories
and from 229 countries in 44 languages.
Become a Contributor and List Your Site
* The Open Directory is the world's first open Internet directory and
anyone can apply to become an contributor. Users can also recommend new sites
for addition to the directory and with more than 12,000 contributor submitted
sites are quickly reviewed and categorized. Finally, Netscape will promote
the continued growth of the Open Directory by making it easier for individuals
to add to the directory by contacting fellow contributors with the newly
integrated AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ services.
Netscape Netcenter is Netscape's leading portal site that provides users
with a home base on the Internet. From Netcenter, users can navigate the
Internet, access a broad range of consumer and business content and services,
and communicate with others online. The site includes seventeen content
channels, a set of leading-edge services including the new Netscape-branded
Search, Site Central, Netscape Contact, Netscape SmartUpdate, Software
Download, Member Directory, My Netscape personalization service and WebMail.
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
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/585525.html or fax,
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CONTACT:
Nathan Tyler of Netscape Communications
Corporation, 650-937-4927, or tyler@netscape.com
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