Compared to the most recent official release of Netscape, Netscape Communicator 4.76, Netscape 6.0's feature additions alone make it worthy of the upgrade. Support for multiple POP mail accounts is a much-needed addition that still begs the question of why it has taken Netscape so long to implement. Unless you just can't stand the new interface (or any of its many themes) -- or you're tied to Netscape Communicator's 4.7x for another reason -- there aren't any significant arguments against upgrading to v6.0.
But when compared to Internet Explorer 5.5, most of Netscape 6.0's new features don't really stand out as revolutionary changes. Although the new Password and Cookie Managers are useful additions that you won't find in Internet Explorer 5.5, the My Sidebar is actually little more than a customizable knock-off of Internet Explorer's sidebar which has been available since version 4.0. Additionally, sites like Hotbar.com have made skins available for Internet Explorer since last year.
On the mail side of the equation, Outlook Express remains superior to Netscape's Messenger client, despite Messenger 6.0's addition of support for multiple POP mail accounts and AOL e-mail. Outlook Express's filtering capabilities are second to none, and its enhanced security via S/MIME support, Junk Mail SPAM filtering system, and Stationery wizard only put more distance between itself and the new Messenger.
The only area Netscape 6.0 really stands apart from IE 5.5 is the inclusion of a built-in Instant Messaging client. If you've been looking for a Web browser with IM capabilities, Netscape 6.0 and the recently released MSN Explorer are the only two Web browsers to currently offer the combination. Additionally, Netscape 6.0 throws in a copy of the AOL-owned Net2Phone, so users looking for a browser with Internet phone capabilities will also find the new Netscape 6.0 to be of significant interest.
Overall, we'd be surprised to see any IE converts being led back to Netscape 6.0 based on its feature additions and enhancements. Internet Explorer 5.5 retains the lead for now, despite carrying a lower version number than Netscape 6.0.
Advantage:Internet Explorer 5.5 over Netscape 6 by a small stretch, and Netscape 6 over Netscape 4.72 by a huge margin.
