Browser

Details - Frequently Asked Questions - Anecdotes - Links to other sites

 
Definition
A software tool which is used to view Web sites. It takes a Web address, obtains Web pages and displays them on the screen.
Discussion
The two main Browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. They both support features to:
Locate Web sites
Display Web pages, along with graphics
Invoke "helper applications" to display video, animations and other multimedia information
Provide assistance for navigating the Web and remembering sites previously visited
Save copies of the web pages and graphics on the users machine
Print Web pages
More Details (sometimes Technical)
Browsers often form part of a family of Internet tools. Other members of the family usually include tools for Email and Newsgroups
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the two main browsers? For a detailed analysis you should refer to the various Internet magazines. For the major features they are pretty comparable. The layout of the menus is different and the terminology differs in a few places:
Terminology
Netscape Microsoft
reload refresh
preferences options
bookmarks favorites
 
Anecdotes
There has been a fierce battle between the two manufacturers for supremacy of this market. The battle has been fought on price, features and in the US law courts.
Price: Microsoft made no charge for Internet Explorer and Netscape have now followed suit.
Features:  Microsoft had a lot of catching up to do but they now both offer full feature products.
The law court: The issue was that Microsoft positioned the Browser as a standard part of the Windows operating systems and Netscape claimed this was anti-competitive. Microsoft were threatened with a fine of $1,000,000 per day unless they made the Browser an optional component when they sold Windows to the PC manufacturers. Microsoft have agreed to this, but the battle is not yet over.

Success is measured by the number of each Browser that is currently in use. When Microsoft entered the market Netscape had 80% of the users. Microsoft have made huge inroads into this marketplace. Today market leadership depends on which survey you read and which part of the world you look at. 

Links to other sites
None yet
 


© New Media in Business Ltd 1997-2000
Last updated: 12 May 2000

Learn how to .. Terms A-Z Concepts Training Contact us Home Help