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:
@jwz There's some memories. I seen to remember that RealAudio worked quite well for the time, however, RealVideo wasn't so impressive. There was also another streaming video format called Vivo(?).
Because both formats used their own streaming protocols, I remember using tools to download the streams so I could watch and keep the media. In fact, I just remembered, I had several episodes of season one of Family Guy in RealVideo first. Wow! I wonder what the resolution was...
jwz
John - 🎞️ Film Nerd 🎞️