MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (December 22, 1997) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced that it is seeing strong momentum for the Netscape In-Box Direct program, a customized information service which delivers news, sports, financial and other multimedia information from leading content providers directly to a user's electronic mail box. In-Box Direct has already generated more than nine million subscriptions and has more than 125 leading content offerings. New partners joining In-Box Direct include ABCNEWS.com Daily Financial Update, Bargain America, DevEdge Online, PC World Online Network's Dummies Daily, Expresso by Venevision, IDG Brasil, La Red Venezuela, Law Journal EXTRA!, Mainichi Daily Mail Internet and Software Depot by software.net. In addition, Netscape announced that it has enhanced this popular service to make it even more user-friendly by adding new features, such as a What's New Page where users can find continuous updates and special promotional offerings exclusive to In-Box Direct members. In-Box Direct can be accessed easily from Netscape's Netcenter Online service found at http://home.netscape.com.
"With more than nine million subscriptions, Netscape In-Box Direct has demonstrated the power of Web-based email, enabling business users and consumers to take advantage of the richness of the Web," said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Netscape's Web Site. "Leveraging the advanced features of Netscape Messenger, Netscape In-Box Direct has grown into one of Netcenter's most popular programs because it enables members to get the news and information they need sent directly to their email in-boxes. In addition, we expect to see even greater momentum for In-Box Direct with our new enhancements for users."
With In-Box Direct's What's New Page, which will be updated on a monthly basis, users will be notified of new services, enhancements to current programs and special promotional offerings from content providers for In-Box Direct members. In addition, Netscape has included information for the new user with tips on how to use the service and tips about HTML mail. Netscape has made using In-Box Direct a very easy process for users. To subscribe, users can chose from a list of more than 125 publications which are listed under several categories, ranging from today's news to international news. Users just need to check the boxes next to the publications they are interested in receiving.
Netscape In-Box Direct takes advantage of the rich, multimedia capabilities of Web-based email, including graphics, formatted text, Java and links to other pages. In order to experience Web-based email, users must have a mail client that supports HTML mail, such as Netscape Communicator or Netscape Navigator 3.0. In-Box Direct provides users with a one-stop shop to manage their email subscriptions and profile data, seek customer support and find out about new content offerings. Launched a little over a year ago, Netscape In-Box Direct has expanded to include content in eight languages and from thirteen international markets.
Netscape Netcenter, launched in September, has gained more than one million members in the past two months, adding to its million initial members from pre-existing programs which are now part of Netcenter. Netcenter enables business users to access and personalize online business resources easily from one central location. Netcenter is organized into four major sections: Content, Community, Software and Commerce.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com or by calling 650/937-2555 (corporations) or 650/937-3777 (individuals).
Netscape, Netscape Navigator, and the Netscape N logo 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.