Re: Netscape, XyWrite, and the Media

[Judith Davidsen jdavidsen@xxxxxxxx]

I chose Netscape as a tiny anti-Gates blow.

The browser seems good enough, but the save-as command gets confusing, since it
requires alt+f+s, rather than the alt+f+a I've gotten used to in all the other
programs I use.

Waiting for Netscape ads for its own products to download before I can do anything is
a drag.

Netscape also seems to be handling my email, which is glitchy.

My major gripe is the $29.95 per issue for tech support, even when the problem is
caused by Netscape--I've begun to wonder if the company is engaging in switch and
bait, or some form of extortion when it offers free downloads that don't work, and
then charges for the address of a totally different site that contains workable
downloads.

But strangely enough, Netscape's online support pages seem to carry a lot of clear,
easy-to-grasp info on how to deal with Microsoft issues.

I am not sure I understand Leslie's idea that having been raised on Xywrite might lead
a writer/editor/journalist to develop a pro-Netscape bias.

Judith Davidsen

Richard Giering wrote:

> I also se Netscape and have for quite some time.
> I probably started because it was the best and
> first and then didn't want to change. While I
> have an anti-Gates bias, I don't think that is why
> I started with Netscape.
> Dick Giering
>
> Leslie Bialler wrote:
> >
> > Friends,
> >
> > Regarding this discussion of Netscape v. Microsoft Internet Explorer:
> >
> > First, let me state that Netscape is Columbia's browser of choice. The machines
> > in the office come equipped only with Netscape. (Recently I purchased a new
> > Gateway machine for my home and Internet Explorer was, of course, pre-installed.
> > I installed Netscape on the system, as I am quite familiar with it by now, and
> > continue to use it exclusively. It is, of course, useful to have Explorer just
> > in case someday I encounter a Web page that insists upon Explorer.) It does seem
> > rather counterproductive to remove Explorer from your system as some sort of
> > Anti-Gates posturing. You may need it, like it or not, apparently.
> >
> > That said, I am pondering this: Since many, if not most, of the subscribers here
> > work as writers, editors, or journalists, I would be interested to know if, as I
> > suspect, there is a pro-Netscape, anti-Explorer bias among members of the media.
> > And, as a corollary, does this stem from having been raised on XyWrite in the
> > first place.
> >
> > The reason why I speculate about this is simple: nearly always, when a web page
> > is photographed for inclusion in a publication, the netscape "N" is clearly
> > shown in the reproduction. This seems true of CNN and ABC News as well
> > (although, needless to say, it is hardly true of MSNBC).
> >
> > Interesting, too, the screen shot is nearly always a Windows shot, although the
> > N.Y. Times screen shots are obviously from the Cute Fruit world.
> >
> > I seem to recall that there is a gentleman from the Times who posts here
> > sometimes. Perhaps he will comment.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > --
> > Leslie Bialler, Columbia University Press
> > lb136@xxxxxxxx
> > 212-666-1000 x7109 (phone) 212-316-3100 (fax)
> > > http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup