Upgrading Your Friends

I upgraded some friends' computer from Netscape 4, to Netscape 6. Given all the pain Netscape 4 has caused me, I was happy to do it.

The mail import was a hassle because the Netscape people didn't make it easy to re-run the import of files from Netscape 4. Worse, the option to re-run involved adding options to a Start, Run command.

OK, survey time: how many regular users do you think add options to Start, Run? Scratch that, better question: How many regular users USE Start, Run in Windows period? Why isn't there an option to re-run the import from "Netscape 4" on the same menu that will let you import from Outlook Express and such?

But the biggest problem, because of its frequency, is the look and feel, which is silvery and odd. Even with the classic icons turned on, the mail and address book icons were pointlessly moved to the lower left side.

I considered using Netscape 6 when it came out. The deal-breaker for me was the home button, or, to be more precise, the tiny, misplaced thing they shriveled it into.

I'm a web designer. I use a custom home page as a list of pages worth checking daily and as a playground for techniques I can't or won't use on public web pages.

At this point, I'm not ruling out installing Eudora for my friends. I'll have to see how Netscape 6 works out.

Posted by Chad Lundgren on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 (Link)

Comments

Posted by Roslee Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 05:40 AM

At least you are upgrading your friends in a good way. When I FINALLY get my computer area set up and have you help get the computer set up and running, I hope to utilize your skills, too! Especially since so much of the lingo anad usage is foreign to me. Heck, I just really getting the hang of cutting and pasting without the razors and scotch tape.

Posted by IE User Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 11:47 PM

It's sad but true -
Internet Explorer 5 or 6 is much better than Netscape 6.

Posted by Karen Donovan Saturday, September 13, 2003 at 12:28 AM

At least you're not upgrading your friends themselves...