Netscape Delivers "Gecko" Browsing Engine Incorporating Advanced Features for Internet Browsing Anywhere

Small, Fast Browsing Engine for Virtually Any Application, Computing Platform, Device or Developer

Mountain View, Calif. (December 7, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today delivered the first version of "Netscape Gecko," its next-generation browsing engine, to thousands of Internet developers. Netscape Gecko - formerly code-named 'Raptor' - reaches a new milestone for browser technology in speed, smaller size, and full standards support. The revolutionary technology is designed to Internet-enable virtually any application, operating system or device. Netscape Gecko is the first software product from Netscape based on contributions from mozilla.org, the organization chartered with managing Netscape's open source initiative among thousands of Internet developers and Netscape.

"Today's delivery of the new Gecko browsing engine ushers in a new era of 'write once, browse anywhere,' because content developers can now write once to W3C standards, and their content is accessible from virtually any application OS and device," said Bob Lisbonne, senior vice president of client products at Netscape. "Gecko demonstrates Netscape's continuing role as the preeminent Internet technology innovator."

At the heart of future versions of Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator, the Gecko browsing engine offers consumers and developers several next-generation key benefits including:

• Size: Netscape Gecko's browsing engine is smaller than 1.4 megabytes, bringing the promise of the Internet to a variety of smaller consumer devices that previously did not have the capacity to run a full-featured browser. Gecko fits on a single floppy disk.
• Speed: The new Gecko engine is several times faster than previous versions of Internet browsing software.
• Standards: Because Gecko is the first and only browser technology to fully implement the latest W3C standards, it enables developers to build rich, dynamic web pages and web-based applications that look and run as intended across a variety of platforms and devices. This saves developers time and money while allowing them to deliver state-of-the-art content. Gecko features full support for open Internet standards such as CSS, HTML4, DOM1, RDF and XML. In addition to supporting these standards in the layout engine, a component of Gecko enables the user interface of applications to be built using these standards.
• Source: Gecko represents the first software release from Netscape and mozilla.org's open source initiative. By harnessing the talent of thousands of developers worldwide, mozilla.org has accelerated Internet software development even beyond Internet time. Additionally, independent software developers' corporate Information Technology departments will now have complete access to the modular source code and freedom to freely license the source, make changes, and build customized versions to accommodate their individual needs.

The Gecko engine was created to enable Internet browsing anywhere by delivering the power of the Internet to:

• Virtually Any Application: Through Gecko, PC applications such as instant messaging and chat software, email, and finance and gaming software can integrate Internet browsing. The same Gecko engine will also be at the heart of major new releases of Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator.
• Virtually Any Operating System: Because it is cross-platform, the Gecko browsing engine will be able to run on multiple computing systems. Gecko will initially be available on Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX, and will be easily portable to many additional operating systems.
• Virtually Any Device: Gecko is designed to power numerous consumer devices including handheld phones, PDAs, fax machines and TV set top boxes. Through Gecko, access to the web can become even more pervasive than it is today. Gecko can allow consumers to access stock quotes and make trades while on the go, or shop for the holidays all from the comfort of their living room using their favorite device.
• Virtually Any Developer: Any software developer will have free access to Gecko's source code. This enables any developer to make customizations to Gecko, giving them maximum flexibility. The source code is available for download at http://www.mozilla.org.

The developer preview of Netscape's Gecko browsing engine was made available today. Developers everywhere will be able to download and try the Gecko browsing engine at http://developer.netscape.com. The final version of Netscape Gecko is expected to be available during the first half of 1999.

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).

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