jwzSep 18, 2025

Netscape Navigator 2.0 was released 30 years ago today.

This version introduced a number of new features:

• Plugins! This was the first time a web page could make sound, via RealAudio.
• Incremental display of progressive JPEGs on slow dialup connections.
• Animated GIFs that were actually useful.
• HTML frames.
• JavaScript! That wasn't my fault, but you still have my apologies.
• And of course my baby, the first release of Netscape Mail and News:

https://jwz.org/b/ykvY

Show threadangst-ridden wandererSep 18, 2025
@jwz I remember being *so* excited with the addition of frames.
Show threadSharpe!
@angst_ridden @jwz Same here, but it also reminds me of the myriad visual and design crimes against humanity I committed with frames.
Sep 18, 2025 at 10:14pmWeb
Show threadangst-ridden wandererSep 18, 2025
@Rgsharpe I still have a site online (if hard to find) that I created in ‘94 which I rewrote for Netscape 2 and frames. It too commits unforgivable design crimes.
Show threadSharpe!Sep 18, 2025
@angst_ridden Oh, to be young and apparently completely lacking in aesthetic sensibilities again...
Show threadKudra Sep 19, 2025
@angst_ridden @Rgsharpe I still have a site online with frames too!
Show threadmonotonehell 🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 (Andrew)Sep 19, 2025

@Rgsharpe @angst_ridden @jwz frames and animated gifs were the scourge of the early web, and I loved it.

Table layout ffw