AOLServer and PLWeb have been free as in beer for a while now, and both are slated to become free as in speech.

They're not too bad, for an evil empire. AOL, that is.

Yes, I agree, Chris. The main difference between NS and MS coding now is that NS (Mozilla), having dropped the proprietary blockade, is inviting the world in to help diversify the environment and, thus, the code. MS may have good programmers, but they are all looking in one, forced direction, and are unable to get outside input. It's like inbreeding, only now NS has widened their genepool.

And about AOL I wholeheartedly agree. I have been saying over and over that while AOL's portal might not be for everybody, they were the best thing that could happen to NS. Basically they brought eyes, money, and a blessing to Mozilla when it needed it the most.

Strangely, some silly geese are still flocking elsewhere. Let them. They won't be remembered for the revolution.

I think everyone is so anxious to get their hands on a final release of Mozilla that they are starting to get irritated by all the delays. I think this is what's causing all the recent comments that Mozilla is a failure (that and JZ's interview), however what there not looking at is the potential of the end result. Hell these guys could have slapped something together with the old layout engine (and it's lack of standard support) and had a final release by now, but then they would be in the same boat as MS. MS hurried to release IE5 and ended up releasing a buggy browser that barely supports standards better than there previous version (hell they even broke their own DOM). I think that once a final product is shipped most of the media will change there story and hail Mozilla a success, but until then we'll just have to put up with the bashing.

I just want to point out that comparisons to Linux, Apache, and all the Gnu stuff is unfair. How many years has Linux been in the public domain? How many people worked on Linux at the beginning? And how usable was Linus's first version?

You are all doing a *terrific* job laying the groundwork for ensuring that future browsers will be open source and standards compatible. Even if *NOBODY* outside Netscape helps with 5.0, once it's released in a working version, people will use it and improve it. Just like Linux, Apache, and all the others.

Best of Luck,

Andrew Berman

"Once it is releeased", that is a good thing to say. It's been a year and onthing has happened, no products in sight. However reluctant I may be, I'll have to switch to IE if I don't see Gecko out in the next few months. When exactly will this much touted Gecko thing be released. Voice recognition is nice but at the moment, I would prefer to have browser without the voice recognition on my desk. Please do not make a decision to release Gecko when the termonuclar fusion becomes available.

to hell with Jaime Z.

no doubt! thank you.

I would just like to debate this point made:

They realized that Mozilla was the key to AOL's entrance to the Internet

AOL has been concerned with the Internet since its beginning. No entrance needed anymore; they made that entrance way back.

I'd say that they really didn't. They opened the gate for their users, but AOL doesn't really have a firm presence on the 'Net (except through Instant Messenger).

Mozilla developers and Netscape engineers, keep up the good work! We've all been watching the progress of the new engine, and we're all very excited about the work you guys are doing. I believe a whole new class of Internet-based applications are going to sprout from the work you're doing.

Don't listen to CNET. They're just selling news. They get off on pissing you off, hoping one of you will talk to them, because then they can write a new news story. (See the article(s) on J.Z.)

Don't play into "bigger number" syndrome. Just because Microsoft has a bigger number than you do right now means nothing. Worry about the project. This isn't a pissing contest. I'd rather have a better 5.0 browser than a crappy 6.0 one. Make your OWN schedule.

And most importantly, remember that it took years for the other open source efforts to take off. One of the important points in The Cathedral And The Bazaar is that developers don't come to help because you dumped a bunch of source code out there, they help because they "get something personal out of it." They can also quickly see their modification integrated into the final project. This will only come when Moz 5.0 is completed. That's when developers around the world will see something tangible and get excited.

I honestly believe that after the first version, people will understand the importance of what you've done, and of Netscape's decision to open source the project. I honestly believe that The Mozilla Project could well become one of the most important developments of the 20th Century. And no, I don't think that is hyperbole.

Microsoft and its legions will continue to dismiss your work. Don't listen to them. You WILL have the last laugh.

Adam Masri President Nolex