Press Release

Netscape's Innovative Client Software Wins Major Industry Awards and Recognition

PC Magazine Names Netscape Communicator 4.5 "Best of 1998"

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., (December 10, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced that its leading Netscape Communicator and Navigator client software is winning major industry awards and recognition. Industry kudos for Netscape's award-winning client software are coming from leading publications such as PC Magazine, InfoWorld, The Linux Journal and The Computing Journal.

Recent recognition for Netscape's client products include the following:

  • PC Magazine, The Independent Guide to Personal Computing, awarded Netscape Communicator 4.5, The Best Internet Software and Sites of 1998. In addition, PC Magazine readers recognized Netscape Navigator for Best Support and Satisfaction for email. (http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/special/bestof98/internet2.html)

  • InfoWorld, The Voice of Enterprise Computing recognized Netscape Navigator as the essential building block for corporate Internet use in InfoWorld's Best of 20 Years, their 20th Anniversary issue. (http://www.infoworld.com/pageone/news/features/anniversary/98ann.best.shtml)

  • The Linux Journal, a magazine dedicated to serving the Linux community and promoting the use of Linux worldwide, awarded Netscape Communicator with its Annual Editor's Choice Award for Product of the Year. (http://www.linuxjournal.com/Press/editor.html)

  • The Computing Journal, England's leading information technology publication, declared Netscape Navigator the "Most Significant Software Application of the Last 25 Years."

    "We have experienced an extremely positive response for Netscape Communicator and Navigator client software," said Bob Lisbonne, senior vice president of client products at Netscape. "These recent awards underscore widespread industry recognition for Netscape innovations such as Smart Browsing."

    The most recent client software release from Netscape is Netscape Communicator 4.5, the award-winning client software that integrates seamlessly with some of Netscape Netcenter's newest and most innovative services including Smart Browsing and Smart Download.

  • Netscape Smart Browsing, one of most significant browsing features to date, helps enhance the consumer Internet experience. Smart Browsing, which receives millions of queries a day, is a unique and easy-to-use service that enables users to type common words or names into the location field of Netscape Communicator to find the site that best suits that particular product, topic, company or service. Once on a site, Smart Browsing allows users to decide where to go next by showing a list of sites and services related to the site they are viewing.

  • Smart Download is a new Netcenter service designed to allow users to be more productive during the download process while driving adoption of Netscape Communicator client software. Smart Download takes the uncertainty out of the software download process with a 'Resume' feature that lets users complete their software downloads even if their Internet connection gets interrupted. Smart Download also has 'InfoBrowser,' a feature that gives users on-screen product tutorials and information on Netcenter services while allowing them to be more productive during the software download process.

    Earlier this week, Netscape announced the first version of Netscape Gecko, its next-generation browsing engine. Netscape Gecko, formerly code-named "Raptor," is the first software product from Netscape based on contributions from mozilla.org, the open source-code organization. The new technology is small in size, runs fast, is Internet standards compliant and is designed to Internet-enable almost any application, operating system or device.

    Netscape Netcenter is Netscape's fast-growing portal site that provides users with a home base on the Internet. Netscape Netcenter provides users with smart tools and services that empower users to take charge of their Internet experience. From Netcenter, users can navigate the Internet, access a broad range of consumer and business content and services and communicate with others online. The site includes eighteen content channels and a set of leading-edge services, including Netscape-branded Search, Netscape Contact, SmartUpdate, Software Download, Member Directory, My Netscape personalization service and WebMail.

    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.

    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, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape FastTrack Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot, and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel logos 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. If appropriate, also include - Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.