Netscape and Internet Explorer:
Netscape Navigator is the leading Web browser. Though a majority still use it, Microsoft released Internet Explorer in early 1996 with the aim to topple Netscape from its king of the browser hill perch. The free market works as long as it remains free, and the browser wars have benefitted consumers by impelling both Microsoft and Netscape to constantly strive to improve their products.
With each release, the browsers have more features and more bells and whistles, however, Internet Explorer has not become quite as bloated as Netscape, requiring less ram to run. Netscape still beats IE feature for feature, but the hard reality is that many features are little used, and some are nearly useless.
Most important, the browser wars have all but pushed out the myriad other browsers that once cluttered the field. This is good in a way because many of these other browsers did not support important formatting and functional features like security, tables, frames, and javascript. Without security, for example, doing business on the web is a risky venture. For another browser to enter the melee, it would have to meet a certain minimum requirement to pose any threat to the big two.
To the question "which browser is better" we can only say that you should probably judge for yourself. Each has a slightly different "feel" and interface. You may find that you prefer one. Microsoft is quick to point out that its browser is free while Netscape's costs $50. Many people believe that Netscape is worth the money, but it's important to point out that educational users do not have to pay, and that everyone is entitled to a 90 day free trial. You can download versions of both programs for free and they will not expire, whether you pay or not.
Download Netscape Navigator at http://home.netscape.com.
Download Internet Explorer at http://www.microsoft.com/ie.
