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Open Source FAQ

  1. What did Netscape announce about Netscape Communicator 5.0 source code?
  2. What does giving source code away mean to Netscape's overall strategy?
  3. Exactly what source code will be available on the Net?
  4. Will there be ongoing R&D on the client side moving forward or is Netscape giving it up to outside development on the Net? What is the quality control Netscape is putting in place for its products?
  5. The press release stated that the license will be "building on the heritage of the General Public License (GPL)." Does this mean it will be released under the GPL?
  6. What support will Netscape offer developers?
  7. How will Netscape accept source code modifications from developers outside the company?
  8. What language will the source code be in?
  9. Can Netscape release something now to help people get started?
  10. How will the source code be released?
  11. Will the source code be cross-platform?
  12. Does Netscape plan to also release source code for a Java version of Communicator?
  1. What did Netscape announce about Netscape Communicator 5.0 source code?
    On January 22, 1998, Netscape announced that Netscape Communicator Standard Edition 5.0 source code will be freely available for modification and redistribution. Netscape believes that harnessing the creative abilities of all Internet developers will be an unprecedented way to advance the features and quality of Netscape Communicator for all customers. Detailed license terms, additional information, and a developer release of Netscape Communicator Standard Edition 5.0 source code is scheduled to be available by March 31, 1998 from the mozilla.org web site.
  2. What does giving source code away mean to Netscape's overall strategy?
    This is good for both Netscape customers and the Internet developer community. Netscape believes that providing source code will enable us to:
    • Develop better client software through integration of enhancements from a broad array of developers;
    • Broaden Netscape Communicator distribution by allowing developers to address markets and needs not currently addressed by Netscape.
  3. Exactly what source code will be available on the Net?
    Netscape will make available a developer release of the source code for the 5.0 version of Netscape Communicator Standard Edition, which includes Netscape Navigator, by March 31. Please note that this developer release is intended only for developers, and is not intended to be an end user beta. Netscape will continue to update the source code on the Net as features are added. Netscape will not include code developed by third-parties where Netscape does not have the right to distribute source code (e.g., third-party plugins) or code which it cannot make available due to government regulations (e.g., cryptographic security code).
  4. Will there be ongoing R&D on the client side moving forward or is Netscape giving it up to outside development on the Net? What is the quality control Netscape is putting in place for its products?
    Netscape is committed to releasing quality products and continues to make investments to ensure the highest quality client products possible. Netscape will continue to develop, test, document, support, and certify Netscape-branded products it makes available to customers. However, this move provides Netscape with a broader audience for feedback, feature enhancements and additional testing of code. This augments the current development and QA efforts in the client product division at Netscape and does not replace our efforts.
  5. The press release stated that the license will be "building on the heritage of the General Public License (GPL)." Does this mean it will be released under the GPL?
    See http://www.mozilla.org/NPL/ for the current draft of the Netscape Public License, and the License's FAQ.
  6. What support will Netscape offer developers?
    Netscape plans to set up a community for developers to share feature enhancements, ideas, and add-ons in a public forum on the mozilla.org web site that will also allow developers to download the source code, receive technical support and collaborate with other developers in newsgroups. Netscape will provide more detail about its support offerings for developers when the source code is released at the end of the quarter.
  7. How will Netscape accept source code modifications from developers outside the company?
    Netscape is planning to create a group dedicated to reviewing and accepting source code modifications. Details will be announced by the time the source code is made available.
  8. What language will the source code be in?
    Netscape Communicator is primarily written in C and C++.
  9. Can Netscape release something now to help people get started?
    Netscape is working as quickly as possible to make preliminary documentation and source code available by March 31, 1998.
  10. How will the source code be released?
    The source code will be made available for download from mozilla.org, or on a CD which developers will be able to order in March from Netscape DevEdge (note that there may be a nominal charge associated with the CD version.)
  11. Will the source code be cross-platform?
    Netscape Communicator is primarily based on a single, cross-platform codebase. However, initial releases of the source code will likely focus on Linux, Windows95/NT, and Macintosh PPC.
  12. Does Netscape plan to also release source code for a Java version of Communicator?
    Netscape will only be releasing source code for the 5.0 version of Netscape Communicator Standard Edition. Currently, there are no plans to release source code for a Java version of Communicator.