Fast-paced, breakthrough, challenging, and competitive - those were the 90's. The Internet was coming into prominence by leaps and bounds, facilely doubling its online population over several months. The World Wide Web (WWW) was overpowering all other Internet services, turning into the keystone of the global network's promising future.
In 1994, Marc Andreessen, a recent graduate of the University of Illinois, partnered with Jim Clark, founder of Silicon Graphics, Inc., to establish a company, Mosaic Communications (subsequently renamed to Netscape Communications), focused on the rapidly developing WWW medium. Andreessen's contribution to creating the world's first, commercially successful web browser later ignited the now famous
browser war with an ambitious and unrelenting competitor - Microsoft.
Momentum buildup
The unconceivable success of Netscape's debut Microsoft deemed impossible to swallow. Netscape Navigator was transforming into a must-have tool for every Internet user, and as such, was transmuting the Internet itself. In the summer of 1995, at its apex, Netscape's browser was the launchpad for every allured newbie, enticed by the ever-growing popularity of the web. However, this zenith was marked by Microsoft's response to the challenge - Internet Explorer.
Unlike Netscape, Microsoft was in the unique position of a platform developer able to set the trends in realms it lacked presence. When the unprecedented demand for the Windows 95 operating system inundated the market, Microsoft introduced a humble alternative to Navigator's sway. But the massive distribution of Windows 95 led the company to believe it had found the stamina needed to overtake Netscape's start point renown.
A year later, Netscape released Navigator 2.0 - a major overhaul with groundbreaking features, among which the ability to render frames, include Java applets into web pages, parse interactive Javascripts, and use plugins. Netscape was everything users needed, and the most they could get.
One-battle war
With the third version of its browser, Microsoft started catching up on Netscape's manifest dominance. Although far from perfect, Internet Explorer was smart enough and even procured features Navigator lacked. As the gaps between the rivals were swiftly dwindling away, the pricing factor took center stage, ready to tip the delicate balance.
From the very beginning, Microsoft was providing Internet Explorer for free, while Netscape, deficient in financial resources, charged for its browsing package. Even before Microsoft started integrating IE into its operating system environment, the company contrived to turn the Windows/Internet Explorer combination into a two-way profit engine.
On one hand, the continuing refinement of the Internet Explorer browser attracted Windows customers for IE provided the better Internet experience. And on the other hand, Windows customers were tempted by the free browsing experience Microsoft promised them, thus augmenting Internet Explorer's market share.
And then, moral or not, lawful or illicit, Microsoft checkmated Netscape's frantic efforts with a single move - Internet Explorer's integration into Windows. The average user no longer needed to exert himself on choosing the right browser. He already had one and did not care for the rest.
Now what?
Today, eight years after Netscape's enthusiastic journey began, its browser's demise is indisputable. According to recent surveys, Internet Explorer accounts for more than 96 percent of all browser usage. Although innovative, companies like Opera lack the potential to turn their pricing plans into successful marketing tools. And the struggling Netscape, dubbed "7" these days, although free, sleek, and open-sourced, feels the true vigor of customer lack of interest.
Some years ago, when the Internet was an obscure, unforeseeable, yet charming place, a browser seemed important, even indispensable. Things have changed. A sidebar, tabbed browsing, or one-click search are features unable to enthrall the indifferent web user. Today, the web browser is nothing more than a means of accessing the web. Let's face it - who cares who won the war?
