Netscape Client is Free; Source Code to Go Public - DevEdge News Special Bulletin (fwd)

["B. Craig Taverner" <craig@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Guys, 

This has been really widely posted already, I've even seen it on some US
financial information email distributions because of the economic
implications for netscape.  However, I've not seen it on glug, so I
thought I'd send it through so those of you not on other lists can get the
announcement.

This is the first time I know of a major commercial software vendor taking
their commercial proprietary code and moving into the public domain with
the aim of *improving* development.

Perhaps people are beginning to realize the real value in public domain
development approaches.  I hope it works for this unique case of
ex-proprietary code.

Cheers, Craig

------
"If God had intended Man to Watch TV, He would have given him Rabbit
 Ears."

======================================================================
Craig Taverner               ------======       Email:craig@xxxxxxxxxx
ComOpt AB                   ------========        Tel:   +46-42-212580
Michael Löfmans Gata 6     ------==========       Fax:   +46-42-140475
SE-254 38 Helsingborg       ------========       Cell:  +46-708-212598
Sweden                       ------======        http://www.comopt.com
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 18:52:29 -0500 (EST)
From: James Mastros <root@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;@pop,.algonet.se
Subject: Netscape Client is Free; Source Code to Go Public - DevEdge News Special Bulletin (fwd)

Hello, Linux-Kernel...  I'm sorry about the longish offtopic post (that many
of you have probably recived yourself), but I think that it bears
re-brodcast on this medium: the bigest Linuxish news... since Linus moving,
anyway.

	-=- James Mastros

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 15:43:27 -0500 (EST)
From: devinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To: theorb@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Netscape Client is Free; Source Code to Go Public - DevEdge News Special Bulletin



***********************************************************************************

Today Netscape unveiled several announcements regarding our 
client software and development direction. Because our developers 
are so vital to our success, I wanted to make sure you all were among 
the first to know. Therefore, we're sending you this special edition 
of DevEdge News which tells you about our plans to make Netscape 
Communicator source code and client software free, an unlimited 
distribution policy, and what this means for existing customers. I think 
you'll find these developments as exciting as we do in bringing us all 
to the next level of Internet software development. 
-- Sincerely, 
Marc Andreessen
Co-founder and Executive VP of Products 
    

Netscape DevEdge News Special Bulletin 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
An alert for the Netscape developer community 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
January 22, 1998 

* Netscape To Make Source Code and Internet Client Free 
* Netscape Everywhere -- Unlimited Distribution of the Client 
* Promotional Offers for Existing Customers 

* NETSCAPE TO MAKE SOURCE CODE AND CLIENT FREE 
Netscape announced today that before the end of the first quarter of 
1998, it will make its source code for Netscape Communicator 5.0 
freely available on the Internet and that effective immediately its 
world-class Internet client is free. 

This bold move enables Netscape to draw from the creative power of 
thousands of programmers on the Internet by incorporating their best 
enhancements into future versions of Netscape?s software. This strategy 
is designed to accelerate development and free distribution of future 
high-quality versions of Netscape Communicator to business customers and 
individuals, further seeding the market for Netscape?s enterprise solutions 
and Netcenter business.

Availability of source code will start with the first developer 
pre-release of Communicator 5.0 expected by late March. Netscape intends 
to host the source code licensing on its web site and create a premiere 
place on the web for the developer community to post their enhancements, 
engage in discussion and receive support as they greatly accelerate 
development of a world-class Internet client. 

Effective immediately, the Netscape client is available for free on 
the Netscape web site. Netscape Communicator Pro, with its expanded 
features, will be sold, but at a reduced price. The move to a free client 
makes it easier for individuals and enterprise customers  to choose 
Netscape solutions plus online services offered within Netcenter. 

More about this announcement is available in a press release at: 
http://home.netscape.com/newsref/pr/newsrelease558.html 

Netscape Navigator standard edition and Netscape Communicator are
available from the Netscape home page where there are easy instructions 
for downloading at: http://home.netscape.com/download. For a nominal fee, 
CD versions can also be ordered through the download site or by 
calling personal sales at 650-937-3777. 

* DISTRIBUTE NETSCAPE SOFTWARE FOR FREE 
In conjunction with today?s free client announcement, Netscape introduced 
a new program for those interested in distributing, bundling or customizing 
Netscape client software. Netscape Everywhere ­ Unlimited Distribution 
creates new opportunities for third-party web sites, Internet service providers, 
independent software vendors, and OEMs. The program is designed to broadly 
distribute Netscape Navigator and Communicator to millions of new users. 
For developers it is a means of providing a choice of client to customers 
as well as a complete web solution. 

-Unlimited Distribution 
A simple on-line agreement allows third-parties to download multiple versions, 
including localized versions made generally available by Netscape, of 
Communicator and Navigator. Details about this program will be available 
January 23. 

- Unlimited Distribution Custom 
In addition to the standard plan, Netscape plans to allow qualified third parties
a the program will allow qualified third-parties the option to create 
a customized version of the Netscape client so third parties can add 
their logo, add bookmarks, toolbar bookmarks, or change the default 
home page. Unlimited Distribution Custom will provide the guidelines, tools, 
support options and the professional service components necessary for partners 
to create and distribute customized versions of Netscape client software to 
their customers and prospects. For more on Unlimited Distribution see today's 
press release at: 
http://home.netscape.com/newsref/pr/newsrelease560.html 
Also, be sure to check DevEdge Online tomorrow for details about 
participating in the standard program.

* PROMOTIONAL OFFERS FOR NETSCAPE CUSTOMERS 
Recognizing the investment existing customers have made in Netscape 
client software, Netscape is extending several promotional offers to
 individuals and corporate customers on additional products and services. 
Select customers will have an opportunity to purchase at special prices 
Netscape?s high-end software products and subscriptions including: 
Netscape Communicator Professional Edition, Netscape SuiteSpot server 
products or Netscape SuiteSpot Hosting Edition. 
    
For more information see: 
http://home.netscape.com/newsref/pr/newsrelease561.html
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been posted to help answer 
additional questions you may have about Netscape?s announcements at: 
http://home.netscape.com/communicator/free_faq.html