Communicator now also offers an automatic update feature, called SmartUpdate. SmartUpdate makes upgrading to a new version of Communicator simple and easy by handling all the details of the upgrade, including downloading the file, placing it in the proper directory, and logging changes. Smart Update also makes upgrade downloads smaller by allowing patching of the Communicator software. Instead of downloading the entire suite all over again and then installing it, SmartUpdate will only replace the code that has been changed. Netscape has also wisely let users easily uninstall any previous SmartUpdates.
Users can also choose to turn off the feature altogether.
Netscape Communicator 4.5, Preview Release 2, is a major step forward for Netscape and gives us a snapshot of where the major browsers are going in terms of feature sets. You'll find it well worth the download time, regardless of which browser you're currently using. Netscape Communicator 4.5, Preview Release 2.