Most people actually think that Internet Explorer 4 is here, but it isn't. Its only in a second beta stage. Meanwhile Netscape Communicator 4 is here and has been for around two months now. I'm sure the people at Netscape are rather peeved about it all. They pulled all the stops out to churn out a superlative product in an extremely short time, at least six months before their rival product reaches the same iteration and yet Microsoft with some clever marketing have virtually nullified the "here first" advantage.

Netscape's marketing of the Netscape Communicator launch was pretty shabby, patchy and generally cruddy to be honest. I only saw one Netscape banner (let me tell you I see A LOT of banners every day) which was animated and went so fast I couldn't read a word....great, huh?

Meanwhile Microsoft have got these nifty drop-down boxes and stuff. People are getting all hyped up in the press about Explorer 4 even though its months and months away. They've even got nice silvery ads (which look good for a change) in Wired and Byte. Microsoft now claim is should be ready by the end of September so pundits expect a December or January launch. But the full thing probably won't be ready until Memphis (Windows98) launches sometime around the middle of next year, maybe.

All I can say to Netscape is - poach some Microsoft marketing staff, its your only hope. Unless some of the readers have got any ideas?

Got a gripe? Need to rant and rave? We'll publish the best here on Groan every week. Send them to us at sysop@j-dom.demon.co.uk

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by Jason P. Kitcat [e-mail him]