I got a letter from the president of Netscape!
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Subject: Special Message from the President of Netscape Dear Netscape Member, As you know, Netscape and AOL merged in 1998, and have mutually benefited from each other’s strength and experience in technology and product development. Over the past three years, our development and engineering teams have worked together to create new features and enhancements to the AOL service. I am pleased to announce that our efforts have paid off with AOL 7.0. I’ve arranged for an exclusive special offer for Netscape members to try AOL 7.0 free for two months — the best offer in the marketplace. See free trial offer details below. This is an opportunity to try it for yourself and see why AOL 7.0 is truly improved, with new features such as: • High reliability Of course, AOL still features its unique content, Parental Controls and 24/7 customer service. So try AOL 7.0 for two months free and keep your current ISP, and then decide for yourself — it’s risk free. I am confident that AOL 7.0 can enhance your online experience and hope that you will take advantage of this exclusive offer. Sincerely,
Jim Bankoff |
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Subject: RE: Special Message from the President of Netscape Dear Jim, Thank you for your concern for my internet connectivity. I must say that it is an honor to have heard from you on this matter. Ironically, I am having difficulty with my internet provider, however I am thoroughly convinced that you will not be able to assist me at this time. Unfortunately, my needs are currently being fulfilled, in almost every respect, by your competitors. My predominant browser platform is currently Microsoft’s™ Internet Explorer™. Please know that I remained faithful to Netscape for many, many years beyond what was be considered to be normal. While most of my friends, family, and clients abandoned Netscape™ for faster, more advanced and more standards compliant browsers, I continued to use Netscape™ 4.xx. Meanwhile AOL™, apparently, saw no need to allow Netscape to release a browser that was standards compliant within a reasonable amount of time. Despite the valiant Mozilla Project’s best efforts they are hardly close to competing with Internet Explorer™. When Netscape™ finally released your version 6 (not 5?) it was far too late for me to consider a migration back to Netscape™. Even if I were willing to switch back to Netscape, I simply cannot do so. Your browser is, unfortunately, loaded with all manner of AOL™ marketing propaganda, AOL™ spyware, and AOL™ corporate upselling trickery that I have no practical desire to be subjected to. As for my internet connectivity, Comcast High Speed Internet™, formerly @home™, is ignoring my needs as a customer at this time. I do not have any desire to move to AOL™, which has a far older and richer history of ignoring their customer’s needs and providing substandard internet connectivity. I would be expected to subsidize advertising designed to sell me more consumer items and services with my monthly fee, conveniently deducted from my credit card, which I do not have therefore all of this discussion is without merit or basis as AOL™ will not provide internet connectivity to members without credit cards. To see what Netscape™ has been reduced to saddens and dismays me deeply. A company that was near and dear to my and many other people’s hearts, is now no more than a small department catering to a huge and distasteful corporation. While this may sadden me, I do firmly believe that business is (as they say) business. All the best of luck to yourself, Netscape™, and your employees. I do hope for you a prosperous future. Sincerely, -ddp — |