Web Browser News Alert!

Netscape 6.0 Not Compatible with Many DHTML Scripts

Huntsville, AL (May 15, 2000) - Anyone using Dynamic HTML (DHTML) scripts on a Web site needs to be aware that a newly released browser is causing significant incompatibility problems. Since its release in April, the latest version of Netscape Navigator (6.0) has been triggering a backlash from users due to its handling of Dynamic HTML.

"We want people to know about this to avoid angry phone calls from customers who suddenly have difficulty using their Web site," states Tom Dahm, COO of NetMechanic. "We strongly recommend that anyone using DHTML test their site for this problem by downloading a copy of Netscape Navigator 6.0."

NetMechanic, Inc.© the leading independent provider of online Web site maintenance, monitoring and promotion tools is releasing this information in hopes of preventing small businesses and others in charge of a Web site from unknowingly falling victim to the perils of browser incompatibility. This is one of the most significant problems faced by those who manage a Web site. Largely because they don't ordinarily have the resources required to continually view and test a site using each of the different browsers.

Online maintenance tools such as NetMechanic's HTML Toolbox^TM - Version 2.0 identify browser incompatibility and other maintenance problems, removing the burden of diagnosis from the person in charge. Web sites that utilize or cut-and-paste DHTML scripts from a script archive can resolve the incompatibility issues by investigating newer versions of the script or contacting the script author.

More About Dynamic HTML
DHTML describes JavaScript programs that dynamically change Cascading Style Sheet properties, facilitating hidden, shown or animated parts of a Web page. DHTML scripts enable effects such as drop-down menus and scrolling text. As more people use Version 4.0 and newer browsers, cut-and-paste versions of these scripts from sites like Dynamic Drive have become popular.

DHTML actually originated during the height of the Browser Wars between Netscape and Microsoft. As each company raced to be first to add new browser features, both ran ahead of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and official Web standards committees. As a result, each company implemented its own version of Document Object Model (DOM), making the browser proprietary and incompatible with that of the competitor.

Mozilla.org, the non-profit group that now supervises Navigator's development, decided not to support the older, non-standard versions of the DOM. This is why most DHTML scripts won't work under Netscape's new browser. The new browser is still a preview release. Therefore, backward compatibility may still be added by the official release date, though they don't appear to be moving in that direction. In the meantime, concerned Webmasters can download a copy of Netscape Navigator 6.0 at http://www.mozilla.org .

More about NetMechanic
In addition to the Browser Incompatibility tool, HTML Toolbox^TM - Version 2.0, which was just released this May, features HTML Repair^TM, an unparalleled service in Web site maintenance that, with one click will correct HTML errors. This comprehensive suite of site maintenance tools also includes Link Check, Spell Check, HTML Check and Load Time Check. Search Engine Starter^TM is NetMechanic's current Web site promotional tool. New tools will be released from NetMechanic in the site promotion area this July.

The NetMechanic service offering is rounded out with Server Check Pro^TM, a subscription service that monitors and tests sites from its own strategically located remote Web servers. Regular performance summaries and a custom designed notification process provide the user with peace of mind that the server is up and running.

NetMechanic's superior online services are targeted toward small businesses, Webmasters, site designers and other Web professionals for all types and sizes of Web sites. For more information on NetMechanic contact Cindy O'Gorman at (256) 533-0076, ext. 116 or by e-mail at cindy.ogorman@netmechanic.com. For information regarding NetMechanic's services and Partner's Program, contact Todd Gandy at (256) 533-0076, ext. 114 or by e-mail at todd.gandy@netmechanic.com or visit the company's Web site at http://www.netmechanic.com.

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NetMechanic's has been in contact with Netscape, and they have confirmed that the official release of the browser does not, and never will support proprietary Nav4-specific and IE4-specific DOM extensions.