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Free Navigator FAQ

In this document:

  1. What did Netscape announce on January 22, 1998?
  2. Why is Netscape making its client products free?
  3. Are all client products free?
  4. When will the free client software be available? How can I get it?
  5. Can I get a CD version of the free client products?
  6. What technical support, if any, is included with the free client products?
  7. How do I get documentation for the free client software? Can I order printed documentation?
  8. What is Netscape's retail strategy moving forward?
  9. How can customers who have recently purchased Netscape client software get their questions addressed?
  10. How does this announcement affect Netscape's subscription programs?
  11. Which products will be free internationally? What about localized versions?
  12. Can I distribute the client software with my own products?
  13. Will Netscape make Netscape Communicator 5.0 source code freely available?
  1. What did Netscape announce on January 22, 1998?

    Netscape announced that its Netscape Navigator browser and Netscape Communicator Standard Edition software will now be free to all users, and Netscape Communicator Professional Edition will be offered for $29 instead of $79.

  2. Why is Netscape making its client products free?

    By making its market-leading client products free, Netscape is making the most popular Internet software applications in the world - the Navigator browser and Communicator Standard Edition software - even more accessible to users. This offers users true choice in Internet client software. Netscape now gains new opportunities to partner with ISPs, OEMs, and other distribution partners to broadly distribute Navigator and Communicator to millions of new users.

  3. Are all client products free?

    Navigator and Communicator Standard Edition are free to all users on all supported platforms. Communicator Professional Edition will continue to offer premium enterprise features for US$29.

  4. When will the free client software be available? How can I get it?

    You can get the software today by going to the Netscape 8 download page, where there are easy instructions for downloading Netscape 8.x.

  5. Can I get a CD version of the free client products?

    Free downloads for Navigator and Communicator Standard Edition are available from the Netscape download page. We will also offer a CD for $10 plus shipping and handling to any customer requesting it. Subscriber Advantage members are entitled to one free CD on payment of a shipping and handling fee. Customers can purchase the CD from the Netscape site or call personal sales at 650/937-3777.

  6. What technical support, if any, is included with the free client products?

    Navigator and Communicator Standard Edition do not include free technical phone support. However, all Netscape users have access to free online technical resources as well as free peer-to-peer support from online Netscape user groups. If you have a problem you would like addressed by one of our technical support engineers, you may call our technical support line at 800/411-0707 at a cost of $25 per incident. (Please have your credit card ready if you choose to call.) Corporations can purchase enterprise support from Netscape's SupportEdge Program.

  7. How do I get documentation for the free client software? Can I order printed documentation?

    Online documentation is available for all users from the Help menu within Navigator and Communicator as well as at the Communicator product documentation site. Customers can also purchase printed documentation from the Netscape Store.

  8. What is Netscape's retail strategy moving forward?

    Netscape continues to offer retail products designed for consumers and small- and home-office users, including Internet Access Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Publishing Suite. These retail products add value to Communicator Standard Edition by offering valuable third-party applications and plug-ins, dial-up connectivity, technical support, media, and documentation. Customers can purchase these products from a local software retailer or from the Netscape Store.

  9. How can customers who have recently purchased Netscape client software get their questions addressed?

    Enterprise customers who have purchased Navigator, Communicator Standard Edition, or subscriptions for those products will be eligible for special upgrade pricing to new enterprise solutions. For more information on upgrade pricing, please contact your sales representative or authorized Netscape reseller.

    Consumers who have purchased subscriptions for Communicator or Navigator through the Netscape Store are eligible to be enrolled in the new Subscriber Advantage Program, which offers one free CD on payment of a shipping and handling fee, access to a subscriber-only download site, special discounts on documentation and support, and other promotions. For detailed information, please visit the Subscriber Advantage site.

    Netscape is also instituting a customer investment protection program to ensure that we address customer concerns and questions. As part of the program, we've created email aliases and hotlines to respond to customer questions. Enterprise customers that purchased enterprise licenses can send email to sales2@netscape.com or call the enterprise hotline at 512/434-1530. Consumers can send email to personalsales@netscape.com or call 650/937-3777, a hotline that has been set up to answer specific consumer questions, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT.

  10. How does this announcement affect Netscape's subscription programs?

    Netscape will continue to offer enterprise subscriptions for Communicator Professional Edition and Netscape SuiteSpot server products under the Enterprise Subscription Program. The consumer subscription program, called Subscriber Advantage, will be offered through the Netscape Store and has been enhanced to provide additional value to customers. The Subscriber Advantage Program offers one free CD on payment of a shipping and handling fee, a number of value-added services, access to a subscriber-only download site, special discounts on documentation and support, and other promotions.

  11. Which products will be free internationally? What about localized versions?

    The same products (Navigator and Communicator Standard Edition) that are free in the United States will be free internationally, including localized versions made commercially available by Netscape.

  12. Can I distribute the client software with my own products?

    Entities that want to distribute Netscape client software can apply to join the Netscape Unlimited Distribution Program to receive fully functional distribution versions of the client. Complete details and an online application for this free program are available.

  13. Will Netscape make Netscape Communicator 5.0 source code freely available?

    Netscape has announced that 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 Communicator for all customers. Detailed license terms, additional information, and a developer version of Communicator Standard Edition 5.0 source code is scheduled to be available by March 31, 1998, on the mozilla.org web site.

    There is a separate FAQ about the open source release.