Replies

They declared war on Microsoft's operating system with their browser in the mid-90's. They thought they would relegate the operating system to some sort of generic background functionality as the browser took over the desktop. Rather than roll over, Microsoft responded by absorbing the browser into their operating system. To be sure, they responded agressively to the challenge. Netscape cried foul and ran to the Feds for help. Does that make them Liberal? I'd say in a way.

Who is "they"? Netscape never said or did any of these things: it was a bunch of media pundits and nitwits who didn't know squat about computers who speculated about browsers taking over the operating system. But that's bullocks, as there was never any way Netscape could have installed its browser in a way detrimental to Microsoft, and Netscape was only in the browser and web server business; it never claimed to be in the OS business (and it never was, not even as a fantasy).

And I'd not get too worked up about Netscape's "liberalism" since Bill Gates' money has all been going to liberal causes, too - including gun control, if I recall correctly.

I base what I say on what I remember from about 5 years ago when this was playing out. I do recall Jim Clark boasting that Marc Andreeson was going to be the guy that would topple Bill Gates/Microsoft or something to that effect. But that's an aside. The fact was, Netscape posted a lot of white papers - very interesting reading - and that's where I recall Andreeson and others outlining their ideas for the browser to supplant the operating system vis-a-vis the desktop.

This is not to pick sides. It's just to say that Netscape made no bones about what they were after and when they were outwitted at their own game, they asked the government to step in.

As for Bill Gates - I'm sure no supporter of his politics or personal philosophy. But that's not the point.

"Who is "they"? Netscape never said or did any of these things: it was a bunch of media pundits and nitwits who didn't know squat about computers who speculated about browsers taking over the operating system. "

Actually, he's right.

Andreesen himself (I remember from a TV interview) said that the OS should be properly viewed as "a kernel and some device drivers" - and the browser should take on a more central, if not the central role in the interface.

I happen to agree with that. Unfortunately for Netscape, so did Microsoft.