Netscape browser to lose life support from February 2008

Mumbai: Netscape Navigator that launched the internet boom will be off life support from February 1, after a 13-year run, its caretaker Time Warner Inc's AOL said.

Netscape, the world's first commercial internent browser and the launch pad of the Internet revolution, faded with Microsoft Corporation's entry into the browser business, and the birth of its open-source cousin, Firefox.

AOL decided to stop further development and technical support to Netscape in order to focus on growing the company as an advertising business.

"While internal groups within AOL have invested a great deal of time and energy in attempting to revive Netscape Navigator, these efforts have not been successful in gaining market share from Microsoft's Internet Explorer," Netscape director Tom Drapeau wrote in a blog.

While users may still be able to download and use the Netscape browser, AOL would stop releasing security and other updates on February 1.

While a separate Netscape internet portal will continue to operate, AOL recommended that Netscape users shift to Firefox instead.