:: theMediaman journal ::

:: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 ::

As I was taking 75 minutes to drive the 15-minute commute to work this morning (I could have walked faster), I heard an ad for a new Netscape service. Yeah... remember Netscape?

Apparently not content to provide almost capable browsers, they're now entering the arena of almost capable high-speed Internet for under $20 a month.

While dragged in at first by the lofty promises, I slowly became more and more disenchanted.

First problem, I was reminded of the last "Portal-turned-ISP", which crapped out when The Bubble burst. Free is an okay price when you don't know if the company venture will go under any time, but $18.95 per month is too much to lose.

Second problem, the front page was designed by some PhotoSchlock designer, then posted live. There's only one hot-spot on the entire graphic - and it's not even interactive! All these segmented tables, but only one active part. This doesn't look very professional, even for Netscape. After looking at the HTML code, I found the author's name - Marian Quaye - but couldn't Google more information beyond some Carleton student.

Third problem, the 'technology' is nothing more than a file compressor on either end of the phoneline. All data is compressed by the ISP before it's sent to you, then decompressed on-the-fly by your computer.

Third problem Part A: Only small HTML files will be compressed. Graphics, MP3's, streaming video, and all the stuff that actually makes the Internet fun will not be compressed. It even says so on the site. Graphics and videos also contribute to about 70-90% of your downloading. So your connection is really only "5x faster" for 10-30% of your surfing. Mathematically, this makes your surfing about 2x faster in the Real World.

Third problem Part B: Real-time compression is very processor intensive. Even thought the system requirements are really low, if you try running real-time compression in addition to the overhead of a cheap, 56K Winmodem, you better have a fast Pentium II or III.

Fourth and final problem - but it's a REALLY serious one. The "Netscape Online Account Registration" page (which may you have to get to by selecting any province & city) IS NOT ENCRYPTED!!! The page asks for your credit card number, but there is NO encryption on the page - which means that ANYONE can see your all your personal information when you hit Submit.

Has Netscape become so lame that they've got an Intern running this system, or is it some sort of West African Money Scam type thing, and it's just someone POSING as Netscape.

Well, whatever it is, it is genuine. There's a link to it from the Netscape.ca home page.

Frankly, I'm so astonished at the mismanagement of this mini-site, that I don't even have a clever quip to add on. All I can say is that I don't feel as sorry for Netscape, as I do for all the people who will have great expectations when they sign up, be disappointed when their system can only download twice as fast, crashes periodically because of all the extra processing overhead, and have to cancel their credit cards when someone steals their identity.

Finally... what the $&^% is that person doing in the middle of the page?!? Looks like they're falling fast and hard. Perhaps an inside-joke at Netscape HQ for the status of the company?

:: Stephen 1:36 PM [+] ::

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