Using Netscape Communicator 4.8

[Scrubbs]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

 

[Sweet Andy Licious]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use
Mozilla for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm
absolutely forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for
the above two applications.

/Scrubbs

Don't be shy, tell us how you really feel.

How about a link, thanks.

 

[Mike]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

I certainly agree with you. I use 4.79, normally with Java
script/cookies/images disabled, never need the popup killers. But I had
to munge my identity, I don't trust FixNews and uninstalled it. It
failed several times, my real username was posted.

I use Firebird (and sometimes IE) for pages that 4.79 can no longer
load. I find it freezes easily when browsing too long.

Mike Sa

 

[Vrodok the Troll]

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 12:51:04 -0700, in alt.comp.freeware, the personage of
"Sweet Andy Licious" <[email protected]>, courtesy of Message-id

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use
Mozilla for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm
absolutely forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for
the above two applications.

/Scrubbs

Don't be shy, tell us how you really feel.

How about a link, thanks.

ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/communicator/english/4.8/windows/windows95_or_nt/

Easy-browsing from there

 

[Susan Bugher]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

What I like is the ability to highlight a bunch of newsgroup messages
and save them in a single file (with nicely formatted headers). If there
is a way to do that in Mozilla I haven't found it - a giant step
backware IMO.

If there *is* a way to do it in Mozilla I hope someone will tell me - or
point me in the direction of a newsreader that has that capability. . .

Susan

 

[Zo]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

Include me as well. 4.79 Messenger, but like Mike had to trash FixNews. I
also like the drag up or down feature when rearranging the order of the
newsgroups under each server. It's a shame that you can't separate it from
Communicator and use as a standalone since I use Firefox as my default
browser but I found that the best workaround for opening url links in
Firefox is to use the small freeware Optool
(http://www.kreacom.dk/tools/optool/).

Zo

 

[Scrubbs]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use
Mozilla for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm
absolutely forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for
the above two applications.

/Scrubbs

Don't be shy, tell us how you really feel.

Subtle

How about a link, thanks.

Andy & All, you can find it here:

http://wp.netscape.com/download/archive/client_archive47x.html#4.8 English

Go for the base install "cb32df8". AFAIK it also works well on XP.

First thing to do after you install is to get rid of AOL/AIM rubbish.
Takes just a few minutes to delete entries "AOL" and "AIM" from the
registry (back registry up first). Unless you're using AOL of course
Then delete the AIM folder.

You'll find the product fast and extremely stable. Do learn the keyboard
shortcuts. You're in for a most pleasing experience.

There's a couple of useful tricks you can then do. Install freeware
FixNews (sorry don't yet have a link to hand but I could email if
necessary) to obscure your details from spammers.

{{The second is only for those comfortable with using a hex editor. If
not ignore what follows. It involves editing the .exe so as to make
X-NO-ARCHIVE "Yes". For legal reasons I cannot post that here. But
here's a hint for those of you who are technically savvy: the word
ORGANIZATION has the same number of characters in it as X-NO-ARCHIVE.}}

/Scrubbs

 

[Scrubbs]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

I certainly agree with you. I use 4.79, normally with Java
script/cookies/images disabled, never need the popup killers. But I had
to munge my identity, I don't trust FixNews and uninstalled it. It
failed several times, my real username was posted.

It's never 'failed' me, humm... Do you have its last iteration
(FixNews20)? Assume that you are aware of its lmitations: others might
be interested:-

(1) it will not munge email address for normal email (i.e. non-NG)
(2) it will not munge email address for encrypted (secure) NGs, such as
mozilla's for example.
However, it always will munge email address for posts to all standard
(nonsecure) NGs. Make sure that "Hide Full Name as Well" is clicked. If
other readers are wondering, why bother? it's useful in that you don't
have to change your normal email address.

/Scrubbs

 

[Scrubbs]

<snip>

Scrubbs@reply_group.fr wrote:

What I like is the ability to highlight a bunch of newsgroup messages
and save them in a single file (with nicely formatted headers). If there
is a way to do that in Mozilla I haven't found it - a giant step
backware IMO.

If there *is* a way to do it in Mozilla I hope someone will tell me - or
point me in the direction of a newsreader that has that capability. . .

Susan

Hey, that's a bit sneaky! Great feature - never knew about it till I
read your post. Thanks!

Scrubbs/

 

[Mike]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

I certainly agree with you. I use 4.79, normally with Java
script/cookies/images disabled, never need the popup killers. But I had
to munge my identity, I don't trust FixNews and uninstalled it. It
failed several times, my real username was posted.

It's never 'failed' me, humm... Do you have its last iteration
(FixNews20)? Assume that you are aware of its lmitations: others might
be interested:-

(1) it will not munge email address for normal email (i.e. non-NG)
(2) it will not munge email address for encrypted (secure) NGs, such as
mozilla's for example.
However, it always will munge email address for posts to all standard
(nonsecure) NGs. Make sure that "Hide Full Name as Well" is clicked. If
other readers are wondering, why bother? it's useful in that you don't
have to change your normal email address.

/Scrubbs

Yes, FixNews 20 was the basis of my comments.

Netscape Comm 4.79, which I use, is virtually identical to 4.8, and has
been around since 2000. I've mentioned it on ACF in the past. These
days, as web pages get more content and focus on IE, the browser is not
as capable, but the Messinger mail client and newsreader are excellent,
which is why I continue to use the old Communicator.

In your tips, I'd add take out the garbage the install puts in Windows
Start Menu, shortcuts, and Netscape preferences. I used to clean the AOL
crap out of the registry, but no longer bother.

Mike Sa

 

[Mike]

Scrubbs@reply_group.fr wrote:

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

I certainly agree with you. I use 4.79, normally with Java
script/cookies/images disabled, never need the popup killers. But I had
to munge my identity, I don't trust FixNews and uninstalled it. It
failed several times, my real username was posted.

It's never 'failed' me, humm... Do you have its last iteration
(FixNews20)? Assume that you are aware of its lmitations: others might
be interested:-

(1) it will not munge email address for normal email (i.e. non-NG)
(2) it will not munge email address for encrypted (secure) NGs, such as
mozilla's for example.
However, it always will munge email address for posts to all standard
(nonsecure) NGs. Make sure that "Hide Full Name as Well" is clicked. If
other readers are wondering, why bother? it's useful in that you don't
have to change your normal email address.

/Scrubbs

Yes, FixNews 20 was the basis of my comments.

Netscape Comm 4.79, which I use, is virtually identical to 4.8, and has
been around since 2000. I've mentioned it on ACF in the past. These
days, as web pages get more content and focus on IE, the browser is not
as capable, but the Messinger mail client and newsreader are excellent,
which is why I continue to use the old Communicator.

In your tips, I'd add take out the garbage the install puts in Windows
Start Menu, shortcuts, and Netscape preferences. I used to clean the AOL
crap out of the registry, but no longer bother.

Mike Sa

Also, as I just had to reinstall Netscape yesterday, it installs with
(IMO) lots of either internet-risky or annoying settings as defaults. I
always go completely through Preferences even before I go online for
the first time. My adjusted Netscape is clean and plain, no extra
"helpful features".

Mike Sa

 

[Scrubbs]

Mike wrote:

Scrubbs@reply_group.fr wrote:

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

I certainly agree with you. I use 4.79, normally with Java
script/cookies/images disabled, never need the popup killers. But I had
to munge my identity, I don't trust FixNews and uninstalled it. It
failed several times, my real username was posted.


It's never 'failed' me, humm... Do you have its last iteration
(FixNews20)? Assume that you are aware of its lmitations: others might
be interested:-

(1) it will not munge email address for normal email (i.e. non-NG)
(2) it will not munge email address for encrypted (secure) NGs, such as
mozilla's for example.
However, it always will munge email address for posts to all standard
(nonsecure) NGs. Make sure that "Hide Full Name as Well" is clicked. If
other readers are wondering, why bother? it's useful in that you don't
have to change your normal email address.

/Scrubbs

Yes, FixNews 20 was the basis of my comments.

Netscape Comm 4.79, which I use, is virtually identical to 4.8, and has
been around since 2000. I've mentioned it on ACF in the past. These
days, as web pages get more content and focus on IE, the browser is not
as capable, but the Messinger mail client and newsreader are excellent,
which is why I continue to use the old Communicator.

In your tips, I'd add take out the garbage the install puts in Windows
Start Menu, shortcuts, and Netscape preferences. I used to clean the AOL
crap out of the registry, but no longer bother.

Mike Sa

Also, as I just had to reinstall Netscape yesterday, it installs with
(IMO) lots of either internet-risky or annoying settings as defaults. I
always go completely through Preferences even before I go online for
the first time. My adjusted Netscape is clean and plain, no extra
"helpful features".

Mike Sa

That's a good point on reinstall. Fixnews is also broken if NC is
reinstalled and has itself to be reinstalled.

/Scrubbs

 

[scroob]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

Why keep using an outdated browser for email and news when there are much
better programs for both?

 

[Mike]

Mike wrote: snip

That's a good point on reinstall. Fixnews is also broken if NC is
reinstalled and has itself to be reinstalled.

/Scrubbs

That's right about Fixnews. That did catch me a few times over the years
(I've been with Netscape 4X for about 7 years). But twice, Fixnews
failed with no other changes, so now I use a munged real address and no
problems (another address for real mail of course).

Mike Sa

 

[Scrubbs]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

Why keep using an outdated browser for email and news when there are much
better programs for both?

I use mozilla v1.6 for main email and for majority of browsing.
Mozilla's functionality in NGs unfortunately is still not up to the
level of the old Netscape Communicator, -- see other posts on this
thread. For binaries I use Forte Agent.

/Scrubbs

 

[Scrubbs]

That's right about Fixnews. That did catch me a few times over the years
(I've been with Netscape 4X for about 7 years). But twice, Fixnews
failed with no other changes, so now I use a munged real address and no
problems (another address for real mail of course).

Mike Sa

Thanks for the feedback Mike. I shall be keeping a watchful eye on
FixNews from now on

/Scrubbs

 

[ms]

Although no longer in development, the last iteration of Netscape
Communicator, v4.8, is IMO excellent and perhaps unbeatable for speed
and stability in two areas: (1) text newsgroups [such as this ]and
(2) for a single (perhaps one you use ocassionally) POP3 mailbox.

It's a real joy to use, especially all those keyboard shortcuts which
Mozilla still hasn't caught up with. Also you can get an anonymiser
(FixNews) add-on for free for use in NG postings. Although I use Mozilla
for general purpose browsing and email, and IE when I'm absolutely
forced to, I thoroughly recommend the use of NC 4.8 for the above two
applications.

/Scrubbs

Why keep using an outdated browser for email and news when there are much
better programs for both?

I use mozilla v1.6 for main email and for majority of browsing.
Mozilla's functionality in NGs unfortunately is still not up to the
level of the old Netscape Communicator, -- see other posts on this
thread. For binaries I use Forte Agent.

/Scrubbs

Sorry to keep chiming in, but...

I've used Xnews, Free Agent, various mail clients at times, but I find
old Netscape 4.79 mail and newsreader clients work best. Xnews has many
features, but if you don't use them, Netscape does a good job for
displaying messages, IMO.

Mike Sa

 

[Susan Bugher]

Hey, that's a bit sneaky! Great feature - never knew about it till I
read your post. Thanks!

YW - rather belately

Susan (playing catch-up)