Netscape Announces 'Netscape TuneUp for IE,' a Free Software Utility That Brings Netcenter Smart Services to Internet Explorer Users

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (October 1, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced 'Netscape TuneUp for IE,' a free software add-on to Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) and Windows software that will enable millions of consumers to leverage the powerful content and services offered on Netscape's fast-growing portal site, Netscape Netcenter. Netscape TuneUp for IE will enable IE users to enjoy, for the first time, Netscape's popular Smart Browsing service while gaining quick, integrated access to Netcenter services such as My Netscape, Netscape WebMail, Netscape SmartUpdate, Netscape Search, Netscape Contact and Netscape Member Directory. This announcement boosts the momentum behind Netscape's Project Turbo, a program aimed at making Netcenter the fastest growing Internet portal by delivering the power of Netcenter to an expanded Internet community.

With Netscape TuneUp for IE, IE users will gain the seamless browser/portal integration features such as Smart Browsing that are normally only available to users of Netscape Communicator, Netscape's popular Internet browser. Smart Browsing includes Internet Keywords and What's Related features to let IE users find the best information faster. Instead of remembering long, complicated Internet addresses, Smart Browsing enables users to type the words or names they are seeking into the IE location field and be taken to a site for that product, topic, company or service. Once on a site, IE users can use the What's Related list of related sites and services to help them decide where to go next.

Netscape TuneUp for IE is a small ActiveX control (less than 100k) that works with Internet Explorer 4.0 or later versions and will download in less than 30 seconds over a typical 28.8k modem connection. The announcement of Netscape TuneUp for IE complements the recent momentum for Netscape's popular Internet browser, Netscape Communicator PR2 4.5, and its new features such as Smart Browsing and What's Related. To date, Netscape Communicator PR2 4.5 has been downloaded by millions of users from Netcenter. Netscape TuneUp for IE is expected to expand Netcenter momentum significantly.

"Netscape is excited by this opportunity to bring the power of portal integration to IE users," said Mike Homer, executive vice president and general manager of Netscape's Netcenter division. "We have received a tremendous response from our customers about the integration of Smart Browsing, My Netscape, Netscape Search and Netscape Member Directory in Netscape Communicator 4.5. Now we are extending those benefits to IE users so that even more of the Internet community can take advantage of the easiest way to find the online information they need."

Netscape TuneUp for IE will be released before the end of October and will be downloadable from Netcenter Download at http://home.netscape.com/download/. It will offer a variety of optional "Windows Friendly" enhancements, such as integrated links to My Netscape, SmartUpdate, Search and Member Directory, as well as customized Windows Start bar icons. The add-on includes an uninstaller, and screens to let users choose which integration features they want.

Netscape Netcenter serves as a key resource enabling consumers to find the web-based information and services they need quickly and easily. Searching for specific information heads up the list of what Netscape users are doing online, and Netcenter fulfills this need with a Netscape-branded search engine, Web Directory and Smart Browsing services. In addition, Netcenter offers a variety of online services to simplify the Internet experience including My Netscape, Netscape WebMail, Netscape Instant Messenger, Netscape SmartUpdate, Netscape Search, Netscape Contact and Netscape Member Directory. Netcenter also features horoscopes, stock quotes, weather and news headlines from ABCNEWS.com.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. The company offers a full line of enterprise software solutions, professional services, and a leading Internet portal to help companies build, buy or outsource Internet applications that drive revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and create new levels of business efficiency. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol NSCP, Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.

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