Software update day: Netscape, Camino, NetNewsWire, Movable Type
Yesterday (June 5, 2007) saw the release of several major updates to Web related software that I use either on a daily basis or for testing purposes. I doubt the various vendors planned to release on the same day, but I just kept downloading as I discovered the new releases one by one:
- Netscape Navigator 9. Yes, it’s still alive! This is the first version of Netscape in years that actually looks usable. When you first run it, it asks if you want to import bookmarks, passwords, and other settings from another browser, which worked fine for me. Netscape Navigator 9 is based on Firefox 2, and can use extensions that are compatible with Firefox 2. I kinda like this browser.
- Camino 1.5. The Macified Firefox. Finally keyboard navigation is enabled by default and can be enabled or disabled in the control panel. Other news include spell checking, session saving, RSS feed detection, improved pop-up and ad blocking, and better tabs. Camino 1.5 is also based on the same rendering engine as Firefox 2. Nice!
- NetNewsWire 3. My favourite RSS Reader just got even better. New features include desktop integration, performance improvements, microformats detection, and a new look.
- Movable Type 4 Beta. The software I use to run my blogs is going open source! I haven’t had time to install and try the MT4 Beta yet, so I can’t say if or when I’ll be upgrading, but like Jonathan Snook I will take A Closer Look at Movable Type 4 beta. And before anyone tells me to switch to Wordpress or Textpattern or whatever: I have tried them and prefer Movable Type. Even the ancient version I am using.
Start downloading :-).
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Roger Johansson is a Swedish web professional specialising in web standards, accessibility, and usability. More about me and this site.
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Comments
What a day!
NetNewsWire has improved big time - I've had some serious performance trouble handling even around 100 feeds - seems resolved! Really nice interface even, one wonders if the NewsGator-team had a quick look at NewsFire.
Good luck on MT4
Soon you will be saying the same about HTML 4.01 and CSS 2.1 ;)
John:
Hehe. Not so sure I will say that about CSS 2.1, but HTML 4.01 is quite possible by the looks of things :-P.
Ever tried Google Reader as RSS reader? I'm currently using it and the good thing about it is ... the price (0$). Is there any particular reason why you chose NetNewsWire?
btw your site is one of my feeds :-)
I agree with Alex. Google reader gets my vote for favorite RSS reader based on the following reasons: * free * accessible where ever I have an internet connection * browse off line with Google gears
I like the Link Pad feature of the new Netscape 9. Been looking for that one, some links are just not meant to be bookmarked. I wonder if there is a Firefox extension that works like Link Pad.
Good stuff. Netscape 9 looks rather interesting, and to be honest, I'm glad it doesn't use a proprietary rendering engine. The last thing we need is 'another' browser to test in. Of course, seeing as Firefox has it's roots in Netscape, this isn't really a surprise.
And I have to say, I've fallen in love with Google Reader as well. But I guess you're just the kind of person who prefers a desktop app.
Why?
I don't know if I like the new look that NetNewsWire got with version 3. It look almost like Smultrons GUI. I will wait to upgrade until I know how to change the new look to the old.
It was better in the old days...
Alex:
Nope. I want a real desktop app. It's the same reason I don't use Gmail or Google Calendar. I find Web apps in general to be slow, clunky, and unreliable.
Peter: They don't use static files like Movable Type does, which makes them more resource intensive. I also don't feel that they give me 100% control of the markup, which MT does. Plus what I have works for me and my readers, so I see no reason to fix something that isn't broken.
After installing Netscape 9 on Windows XP, I miss one point. In Netscape 8.1 you can change the render engine between "Gecko" and "IE" with one click. Also with Netscape 8.1 I can decide which render engine used for a site. This point is removed in Netscape 9.
And Netscape 9 have the same problem as Firefox with "Fonts". Default "font-size" 16px is used and Netscape 9 ignore like Firefox the os system defaults (Windows normal/large fonts). IE and Opera will do this.
Aside from that, Netscape 9 is small, fast and work like Firefox 2. But I doesn't find any point to change to Netscape 9.
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