Netscape Communications Corp has made another attempt to leverage its still-powerful market share and redesigned its website, now claiming it is an online service and calling it Netcenter. There is not much new in this free service, but users will now have to register. Netscape is after what it calls the top thirty percent of web users that have the demographic qualities advertisers look for. Netcenter will use VeriSign Digital IDs so users can maintain their privacy while they use service such as secure email, searching, Netscape In-Box Direct and its Channel Finder. The company has divided the site into three areas: content, community, which provides communication and collaboration services and software, which uses the company’s Smart Update incorporates a software store of Netscape ad third party software. Two previously announced services, Netscape Virtual Office by Concentric and Netscape Software Depot will make their debut as part of the re-launched website next week. Netscape president and chief executive Jim Barksdale warned that a better mousetrap will not draw customers but that is what this announcement amounts to. He also warned that Netscape is not giving up market share to anybody. A Chinese version is also being prepared. Netcenter will be up at http://home.netscape.com next week.
