Netscape is one way of navigating through the World Wide Web. It is called a 'browser,' since it helps you browse your way through the various information sources and links between them. There are other browsers available that let you do the same thing, they are just made by other companies and they "look and feel" a bit different. Among these are other popular choices, like Mosaic and Netcruiser. Webster University has chosen Netscape because it is sophisticated, widely used, well-supported, and easy to use. Other people will have differing opinions, and their own personal preferences.
Netscape is installed on the computers in the University Center, and allows users to navigate the Web, read Usenet news, and send and receive e-mail if they have an e-mail account (usually not free, and Webster offers them too, for a fee). This all-in-one package makes learning how to use it easier than trying to learn a separate software package for different functions.
Netscape runs on Windows and Macintosh computers and is very similar on each (almost the same, in fact). Free versions of Netscape are available, but they are often "test" (called "beta") versions that may have hidden bugs in them, or they are not quite full-featured versions, with the new and improved version being sold.
You can download free Netscape versions, or buy Netscape versions.
Buying has the advantage of good documentation, toll-free customer support from the manufacturer, Netscape, Inc., and it is also more stable and will not crash your computer or lock up like a beta version can. You can buy Netscape almost anywhere software is sold, we recommend the Webster University Bookstore. The advantage of the free versions is that they are free, but be prepared for some frustration, because you pretty much get what you pay for...
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