Netscape finds that even cyberspace spurs turf wars; Internet software leader is facing challenges from giants Microsoft and IBM
Article Abstract:
Wall street investors are generally unimpressed with Netscape's improving financial performance, and instead are concerned that this dominant Internet software company will continue to lose market share to Microsoft. Netscape's 4th qtr revenues reached $347.5 million, almost triple last year's 4th qtr figure, while earnings have increased 50% to $.09 per share. However, Netscape's share of the Web browser market has dropped to 70% from 87%, and analyst disregard for the firm's stock has resulted in a 55% decrease in share value. The company is responding to the increasing market pressure by marketing Communicator, software that allows workers to collaborate over networks. Microsoft and IBM's Lotus division are developing rival products they claim will operate over more types of computer networks. This platform independence had been, and continues to be, one of Netscape's prime marketing concepts. Also, Lotus and Microsoft have more resources than Netscape, and plan to invest in Internet software development.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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Microsoft and Netscape locked in battle to make the Web more user-friendly
Article Abstract:
Microsoft and Netscape are both developing technology to enable dynamic HTML capabilities in a new generation of browsers. Dynamic HTML will make pages full applications, allowing data manipulation on the desktop. The technology will both enhance interactivity and alleviate network congestion by reducing the numbers of requests sent to servers. Microsoft and Netscape have competing versions of the technology, which uses scripting to enable, for example, new kinds of "push" Web publishing. Netscape's Communicator, now in beta testing, supports some dynamic HTML. Microsoft's Internet Explorer is due for a 2nd qtr 97 beta release. Online games using dynamic HTML would allow users to use a mouse to click directly on a character or object and move it freely across the screen. While the Java programming language and Microsoft's ActiveX both offer multimedia capabilities, many Web publishers have found them difficult to learn and resulting in large file sizes.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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