IP: Netscape to Release Source

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 13:28:48 -0800
From: dwiner () well com (DaveNet email)
Subject: Netscape to Release Source


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> From Scripting News... It's DaveNet!
Released on 1/22/98; 1:27:07 PM PST
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  Netscape did something remarkable today.


  In all my years in the software business, never has a single move by a
  single vendor done more to upset my assumptions about how things
  would move forward.


  I didn't think it could happen, but we've actually been thinking
  about this possibility for about a week. First, a popular developer
  site, slashdot.org, called for Netscape to release the source code
  for Navigator. Then I was cc'd on an email from Tim Lundeen,
  tlundeen () lundeen com, to Marc Andreessen, marca () netscape com,
  suggesting that Netscape release the source code for Navigator. To
  me it was amazing when Andreessen replied saying that they were
  considering the idea.


  Then this morning, along with news that Microsoft and the Department
  of Justice had settled the bundling issue, comes an announcement
  from Netscape that they will release the source code for Navigator
  with the 5.0 release, expected later this year.


  I have a lot of comments and ideas and questions stemming from this
  announcement. I'm sure there will be more to say as the idea sinks in,
  but here's what's on the top of my mind right now.


  The first thing I wonder is should I will do development in the new
  system? I had pretty much given up on getting features I want in web
  browser software. So much so, that I was looking to the next
  generation of content, XML, to provide the opportunity to play with
  smart sandboxes with scripted firewalls and stronger connections
  to content management software, all of which would require new
  features in the browser.


  There are also tags that would open up new power, things that would be
  easy to implement, but that we haven't been able to convince either
  Netscape or Microsoft to implement. In the new scheme, we won't need
  their permission. We can start a new browser using their source code,
  try the ideas out and then lobby them to include it in their next
  distribution. If they say no, and the ideas are compelling enough, we
  can release the software on our own.


  It also may mean a lot for the education of engineers. Think of it as an
  investment in the next generation of software developers. I learned
  a lot in the 70s reading the source code of the Unix OS. I'm sure
  programmers still do that. Adding a complex multi-threaded graphic
  program like Navigator to the mix will be very interesting from this
  standpoint!




  Will Microsoft match Netscape and release the source code for
  Explorer? What a trip that would be!


  Will venture capitalists invest in teams of browser developers?
  That would be interesting. And surprising! It could happen.


  Will Sun follow suit and drop the source for Java?


  Could we move beyond the page metaphor? Could entire new structures
  be built on HTML-based content? How about implementing Microsoft's
  version of Dynamic HTML in Netscape's browser? With the source code
  available this wouldn't have to wait for Netscape to do it.


  Further, this is a case of a company not buckling under the threat of
  Microsoft's competition. Unlike Novell and Apple who failed to zig
  to Microsoft's zag, Netscape is doing something different. Bravo!
  I've said it before, Netscape had options, they didn't have to drive
  into the Microsoft brick wall at full speed. This new twist shows that
  if you think creatively, you can find other options. I never would
  have been so bold as to ask them to release their source code. Now that
  they've done it, I'm very thankful. It's a high road move. Good deal.


  It's also good for the Internet. It's a vote of faith in capaphony and
  the creativity of the random programmer "out there". It totally
  levels the playing field, gives everyone a chance at breaking out of
  the browser wars.


  On the whole a nice way to shake the earth.


  Thanks Netscape!


  ***Mail


  There's already a lot of mail on this.


  Watch the Mail page on Scripting News:


  <http://www.scripting.com/mail/mail980122.html>


  Dave Winer


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