Netscape 7.2 Compact Release Notes

Thank you for installing Netscape 7.2 Compact, a customised version of Netscape 7.2. This version is not officially supported by Netscape/AOL. Although it is basically identical with the official version, it nonetheless offers some features not available in the normal version. Moreover, Compact has been stripped of many of the AOL addons (which most of the people don't need), but nonetheless giving the you the power to install them later by checking Help -> Install Addons.

Installation Notes

Please uninstall any previous version before installing Netscape 7.2 Compact. While it shouldn't be a problem to install over an exisiting version, it is usually better to start from scratch.

Additional Themes

Netscape 7.2 does not officially support third-party themes. There are lots of sites available offering themes for Mozilla. Many of them work with Netscape 7.2 just as well. A good place to start is one of the following websites:
http://themes.mozdev.org
http://www.mozthemes.tk/
There are a lot more, of course. When installing themes make sure you choose a version for Mozilla 1.7 (sometimes shown as Mozilla 1.5+). Some sites even offer themes for Netscape 7.1, and they may update their themes for Netscape 7.2 in due time. Please also note that most of the themes will replace the Netscape throbber (the icon in the upper right corner) with some kind of variation of the Mozilla icon. However, this will not impair any Netscape functionality.

Language Packs and Spellcheckers

To install new languages and spellcheckers, visit this site.

Multicolored quoting levels

The colours only get applied on new profiles, so you have to copy the file responsible for the coloring manually: Find userContent.css in C:\Program Files\Netscape\Compact\defaults\profile\US\chrome (that's the default path, adjust it to your system) and copy it into your profile directory's "chrome" folder.

Addons and Updates

Please use HELP --> INSTALL ADDONS to access a site where you can find addons for Netscape 7.2 Compact (especially extension that are included in the original version of Netscape 7.2, but which have been excluded from the Compact package).

What's in Compact

Users familiar with the Compact series know what they can find / can't find in Compact 7.2. In short, Compact is a stripped-down version of Netscape 7.2 - most of the AOL additions were removed in the process (except AIM, which became an optional component only, as it is needed to access Netscape Webmail from within MailNews). On the other hand, Compact also features some extension that can't be found in the official version of Netscape 7.2, namely: Mnenhy, a MailNews enhancement collection, Messageidfinder, an addon to find messages using their indivual ID, a Plugin called Beatnik for audio supprt on webpages using the <embed> tag and so on. Please see the Compact homepage for details.

System Requirements

Since Compact is just a tweaked version of the official Netscape 7.2 the same system requirements apply. See the official Netscape 7.2 Release Notes.

Known Issues

Using existing Plugins

Compact uses a new folder structure to avoid problems with exiisting versions of Netscape 7.2.
The new standard path for Compact is \Program Files\Netscape\Compact\
That means that exisiting plugins must be copied from \Program Files\Netscape\Plugins to \Program Files\Netscape\Compact\Plugins.


Fix for the "Netscape 7 Mail" setting

When setting Netscape as default Internet and Mail, the Windows XP start menu shows the same icons for both applications (Browser and Mail) and the browser is called "Netscape Mail". Regedit to the rescue.

Start regedit.exe (start -> run -> regedit.exe)
Two possibilities where this has to be changed.
Either in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Clients | StartMenuInternet | Netscp.exe |
on the right side, change the value and then reset the default Internet client.
Or:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Software | Microsoft | Windows | Current Version | Explorer | ShellNoRoam | MUICache
Look for "Netscape 7.0" there and change the setting to "Netscape 7.1" (or whatever you prefer).

Fix for the Mail icon

Start regedit, find the following key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Clients | Mail | Netscape Compact | DefaultIcon
Doubleclick on "(Standard)" and paste in the following
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Compact\chrome\icons\default\messengerWindow.ico,0
(assuming you chose the default path to Compact, if not adjust according to your settings).
Reset Netscape as the default mail client, either by right-clicking on the start button, selecting properties or by resetting it in Netscape's preferences.
By the way, you can also adjust the name that is displayed:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Clients | Mail | Netscape Compact
on the right side, change the value to anything you like.

Switch Profile not available when Netscape Instant Messenger installed

In Mozilla you can switch profile while the program is running.  It is not available in a standard installation of Netscape 7.1. The culprit is Netscape Instant Messenger, as Chris I found out.
Solution 1:
Install Netscape 7.1 Compact without NIM (choose custom install during installation)

Solution 2:
Go to Preferences --> Mnenhy --> Chrome Manager and deactivate aim under known packages.