In August of 1996, Microsoft released a completely rebuilt version 3.0 of Internet Explorer for Windows 95. The browser included a wealth of new features, such as Internet Mail and integrated support for GIF and JPG files as well as MIDI and streaming audio. (Prior to IE 3.0, users had to download helper applications to display or hear these file types.)
Just as importantly, Microsoft won over the Web-development community. IE3 featured a flexible programming model with support for multiple scripting languages. And it marked the first usage of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which allowed developers more control and predictability over how their pages would display.
In the very same month, Netscape matched Microsoft's third release with Netscape Navigator 3.0. Built upon the same technological foundation as the first two versions, this browser came in two different flavors: Standard Edition and Gold Edition. The Gold Edition sported several new features, such as an integrated mail client and WYSIWYG functionality for Web design. Unfortunately for Netscape, this enhanced version was criticized for sluggish performance.
  Netscape Navigator 3.0 was slow and had lots of bugs. Click image to enlarge and to launch image gallery. |
Although Internet Explorer still trailed Netscape significantly with only 18 percent market share, Microsoft had just pulled even with Netscape in terms of quality.
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 Introduction WWW: Past, Present, And Future Browser Wars: The Saga Continues• Rounds 1 & 2 • Rounds 3 & 4 • Rounds 5 & 6 The Skinny On Web 2.0 WWW Pop-Up Timeline Browser Image Gallery |
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Round 4: Internet Explorer 4.0 vs. Netscape Communicator
The year 1997 marked the beginning of the end for Netscape. In October, Microsoft's aggressive drive in browser development resulted in the release of Internet Explorer 4.0.
In addition to better performance, IE 4.0 featured a powerful new functionality called DHTML (Dynamic HTML) that allowed Web developers to implement an unprecedented level of interactivity and style. Furthermore, the 4.0 release also incorporated a number of Windows-wide upgrades, including MP3 support.
Unable to keep up with Microsoft's onslaught of new feature sets, Netscape released its 4.0 browser under a new name: Netscape Communicator. The browser was essentially a refined version of the Gold Edition of Netscape Navigator, and featured a number of integrated applications such as an e-mail reader. Unfortunately, the new name confused users, and the browser was heavily criticized for slow launch times and sluggish performance.
 A new name and extra components couldn't save Netscape's browser from the IE onslaught. Click image to enlarge and to launch image gallery. |
Microsoft had accomplished its goal of beating Netscape in quality. Web developers, technology journalists, and consumers began to switch over en masse.
In 1998, Netscape made the bold decision to release the code base for its browser under an open-source license. Interestingly, this code would serve as the foundation for Mozilla's Firefox, which would challenge Internet Explorer six years down the road. In the meantime, America Online bought Netscape and integrated its browser into the AOL client.
AOL continued to launch incremental Netscape Navigator releases, but the application's aging 4.x code could not compete with Microsoft, which also continued to revamp and improve Internet Explorer. By 2002, Internet Explorer would account for over 95 percent of all browser usage. The browser wars, it seemed, were over.
The Winner: Internet Explorer
