September 6th 2007

Upcoming Netscape changes

Posted by Tom Drapeau

› tags: Community, Netscape, Portal, Social News, SocialNews

To the Netscape Community...

There are some upcoming changes to the Netscape.com site that we hope will improve your experience. We'll be providing two different news options for you based on what you've told us over the past few months.

Visitors to Netscape.com will see a more traditional news experience very soon. Don't worry, the social news site isn't going away! We will keep you updated on where you will be able to find the social news site as we get closer to making the switch.

Why is this happening?

Many of you may remember that Netscape.com used to be much different than it is today. In fact, it used to contain more mainstream news before we shifted to the social news site you see now.

We received some feedback that people really do associate the Netscape brand with providing mainstream news that is editorially controlled. In fact, we specifically heard that our users do have a desire for a social news experience, but simply didn't expect to find it on Netscape.com.

The decision to redirect the current Netscape.com site is based on that feedback and our desire to better serve our community.

Now where can you go?

You have the power to decide!

Have you visited the new Netscape portal experience yet? It's already up and running. If you bookmarked the current Netscape.com site, this is where you'll land once we make the transition. We just launched it recently, so we'll be busy making improvements along the way.

From checking your mail to local weather updates to the latest news headlines to celebrity gossip, you'll find it here.

If the social news experience is more your style, rest assured that we'll be rolling out a site for you in the very near future. You may have read a bit about our plans for the social news site in the press already. We will be sure to communicate specific dates and additional information on the new social news destination in this blog, so stay tuned.

What does this mean for the Netscape browser?

Absolutely nothing will change. The only area that will be affected is Netscape.com. Anything else associated with the Netscape brand will remain the same.

How can you stay in the know about the upcoming social news site?

We want to keep you as up to date as possible as we work to provide the best news experience for you. Please be sure to check back on the Netscape blog frequently, as we'll be updating with new developments. Most importantly, we'll be providing you the new location for the social news site.

We, as a company, remain committed to delivering a compelling social news experience for our users. This move is an effort to make both the former portal experience and the social news experience accessible so that you can decide which you prefer--or, even better, that you want to participate in both.

We look forward to unveiling a new social news site as soon as possible. The ability to post, comment, rate and share the news that's most relevant to you is as important to us as it is to you. We will be maintaining an open dialogue with you, our users, so that you'll be the first to know as soon as we're ready to pull back the curtains.

related links ›

Comments

(Page 2)

1:12AMklarissa

I looked at the new portal - and it is too busy- lots of junk. It would be ok if it can be altered to suit the viewer.

2:13AMPaulo

We received some feedback that people really do associate the Netscape brand with providing mainstream news that is editorially controlled.

Here's my feedback: browser.

4:34AMMarek

So netscape.com will cease to be the social news website again? Guys, sounds like you are changing your long term strategy every six months.

netscape.com is among few iconic domains and you should really think twice before making yet another change of its purpose.

4:50AMmilton nelson

when i search a subject and i visit a link it does not change color after i have visited it i cant remember which links i have already visited. a serious deficiency. i have tried tools options general fonts and colors and it does not work i now use internet for more searches than netscape

6:44AMMeble

We look forward to unveiling a new social news site as soon as possible. The ability to post, comment, rate and share the news that's most relevant to you is as important to us as it is to you. I will try to help You! Regards

7:50AMKahuki

Puhhh, i thought you guy want to shut down the social news site!

8:21AMV. E. Harrison

Gee, that means that when I open Netscape I'll see the same thing that I see when I open
MS Internet Explorer. That's supposed to be progress? Not in my books. Frankly, I greatly pr4ferred the OLD Netscape. I've been using Netscape for years as my preferred portal, but as more and more changes take place, I'm stsrting to re-think my choice.

I understand that you are owned by AOL, but I would think that you could come up with something other than a copycat opening page. Yeak, I know, I know--it's cheaper that way. But that doesn't make it better.

Thanks,
Gene

8:41AMJeff

Hmmmm - the face of a new netscape...maybe my email will finally work again. This redirect to AOL has been nothing but a nightmare - and now it works even less

8:43AMPozycjonowanie

We received some feedback that people really do associate the Netscape brand with providing mainstream news that is editorially controlled. In fact, we specifically heard that our users do have a desire for a social news experience, but simply didn't expect to find it on Netscape.com. I'm member more then a 6 months and i really like this site and community is great thing!

8:51AMNoah

Let's face facts here:

Netscape gets worse every day
AOL gets worse every day
Nothing will save either.

The new Netscape/AOL.com site is an obvious blatant copy of Yahoo.com. Either you worked with Yahoo to use a version of their design or there is absolutely no originally left in either company. First you copy Digg, then Yahoo. Why not create something of your own for a change? Surely with the thousands of people on staff, SOMEone can figure something decent out.

9:16AMEdna

Why does the email always give me "Allow sub-frames to navigate across different domains" after I tell it to send? Why do I have to click on the "x" in order to close the email message I just sent? Why do I get the message "Are you sure you want to navigate away from this page? You have not saved or sent this message. Press Ok to continue, or cancel to stay on the current page?"

9:27AMOnline college courses

There are some upcoming changes to the Netscape.com site that we hope will improve your experience. We'll be providing two different news options for you based on what you've told us over the past few months. This is news that I was waiting for a long time - really brilliant idea!

9:37AMjb

Netscape is great as it is now how ever it is too much like digg if you ask me. Netscape should go back to focusing on browsers and do some magic with the folks at firefox. I used to be a big fan of the netscape browser and would love to use it again .

9:43AMStefan

That would be the biggest mistake ever! It looks 99% like Yahoo! It practically a Yahoo clone, people will like that? Just think about it !
You have the chance here to make the biggest 'Social News' site in the world! Imagine thousands of people adding news every day and only the best will reach the first page. Perfect !
Why don't you make a simple poll so visitors can vote? Simple but very efficient ! Or maybe something combined between a social news site and a classic portal.
I hope that you will make the best decision, good luck.

9:48AMMary

My main concern: what's going to happen to my current social network friends, posts and voted stories?? I keep track of stories through Netscape's social portal that I wouldn't find any other way. I've established a strong friends list. To sort through all these settings manually in order to save them when Netscape kills the social network site...I don't even want to imagine the hassle! Just please, PLEASE tell me all our saved settings won't be lost!!

Previous 15 Comments | Next 15 Comments