Netscape gone?

optimizing for netscape is no longer ...

[Gary_Snyder]

Just a few years ago, it was important to code your page to look good in netscape because some top directory editors used it. However, the only directory worth worrying about as far as free search/directory traffic is concerned is ODP at this time. In addition, I just checked my logs... 97% of visitors use Explorer... I've come to the realization that, based on this, it appears that optimizing for netscape is no longer worth the time... in fact, it would probably be more beneficial to optimize for web TV than for Netscape.

[Sinner_G]

Same as with screen resolutions, this issue depends really on your targets. I see some sites with up to 20% Netscape users (mostly 4.x).

[Brett_Tabke]

We had a long thread on it a few months ago:
[webmasterworld.com...]

And netscape just released NN 4.8:
[webmasterworld.com...]

>97% of visitors use Explorer

Not neccessarily true. 97% of the people that visited your site reported an agent that your logging program interpreted as ie. Just SE Bot visits alone should make up 5-10%.

[diddlydazz]

Hi Gary,

what about when AOL start using Netscape as their browser?

I think IE Only coders will soon have a shock, AOL didn't buy Netscape for nothing.

All IMHO of course :)

Dazz

[BlobFisk]

I think that the end of NS4.x is coming... slowly. But, as diddlydazz mentioned, AOL's next version may well be using the Netscape kernel. However, NS6.x (and 7) is a DOM compliant browser and renders valid html4.01, xhtml and CSS almost as it should be rendered.

So, Netscape is nowhere near dead, but version 4 Netscape browsers are a slowly dying breed!

[gsx]

Definately worth the hassle. You need to check with versions 6 (possibly 7 also) to check they function correctly. I check with version 4 to make sure the site functions correctly, but if it doesn't look at it's best, I don't worry - as long as people can find the information they need and/or can order without any problems.

97% seems like an unusually high figure. Are you sure your site is compliant with Netscape:

I heard the story of one SEO "proffesional" who stated: "I don't bother with Netscape anymore. The number of people using it doesn't even hit the radar screen!"

The SEO proffesional sat next to him (who used NS) turned to him and said "I am not surprised - this is your site...". And the screen was a blank page.

Versions 6 and 7 are so similar to IE that it shouldn't be much hassle to check it. In fact, I now test all my site on version 7 of NS and then it usually works first time in Opera (except for JavaScript bugs which need checking) and IE.

[Crescendo]

Be aware that Opera is set to show up as IE by default!

[NGene]

Definately worth the hassle. You need to check with versions 6 (possibly 7 also) to check they function correctly. I check with version 4 to make sure the site functions correctly, but if it doesn't look at it's best, I don't worry - as long as people can find the information they need and/or can order without any problems.

Exactly. And Netscape 6 and 7 shouldn't be problems anyway... if your website is valid and standards-compliant, it should be ok in newer Netscapes because they support standards pretty well. Netscape 4 is a big problem, but it's slowly dying away.

[papabaer]

Knowing your market and targeted demographics is the key factor. Yes, NN4 is dying quickly. Globally, v.4 has lost 50% of the marketshare (approx. 4.5% down to 2.5%) that is had been holding since last December. Beginning in May, there have been sgnificant drops in NN4 reported usage. But... do keep in mind that there are niche markets where NN4 is likely to hold sway for some time to come.

If you can safely begin to eliminate NN4 support and are attempting advanced CSS design, by all means use the @import rule to protect NN$ from styles it cannot understand. Be sure that there is content that the dwindling NN4 surfers can use. Don't design in a manner where pages will not display at all.