Re: [9fans] Gecko based web browser

[Ralph Corderoy <ralph@inputplus.demon.co.uk>]

Hi,

> For Chrissakes, if you insist on rolling all your own software you'll
> never catch up.  Wouldn't it be better to have a functional Web
> browser on your preferred development platform than to have to keep
> switching platforms every time you need to access the Web?

Are there two separate issues here?  One, new and innovative ways of
representing HTML-based information available via HTTP.  Two, wanting
exact Netscape or Internet Explorer functionality *today* so you can
access those PITA sites that don't function without JavaScript du jour,
etc.

For the second Douglas has a point, we'll never catch up with NS and IE
since they're playing catch up with W3C who are in turn trying to catch
up with NS and IE's latest `extensions' :-)

What about considering a means of running NS or IE on a separate
`server' box and pulling or pushing that across to Plan 9?  Initially,
something like VNC (Virtual Network Computer) might suffice.  More
complex would be allowing a single NS to be the `render server' for
multiple users.  Icky perhaps, but it would free Plan 9 users from the
hungry hoards that want IE and allow them to research new, different,
models.


Ralph.