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NeoPlanet was a Trident-shell graphical web browser initially released in 1997 by New York based Bigfoot International, Inc. and later maintained and developed by its subsidiary NeoPlanet, Inc.〔Festa, Paul. ("Short Take: Bigfoot rechannels IE" ), ''CNET'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕〔("Bigfoot Helps Navigate Through Web" ) at Google Books, ''InfoWorld'', Oct 27, 1997, p.89, Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 It was one of the first browsers to be fully skinnable. Neoplanet was a "plug-out" extension for Internet Explorer which created an integrated branded environment for the user. Within the environment, users could web browse, email, and chat. Much simpler to use than basic browsers, Neoplanet was a portal-like browser created for non-techie users.〔Broersma, Mathew. ("Bigfoot has portal-sized ambitions" ), ''ZDNet'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 Unlike web portals which lost control of the users every time they surfed to a new site, chatted, or emailed, Neoplanet`s environment followed the users wherever they went on the Internet.〔Patsuris, Penelope. ("Big mistake" ), ''Forbes'', Retrieved on 2012-6-18.〕 The Neoplanet program was originally created by James Friskel.〔("NeoPlanet's profile" ) at ''StartupZone'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 Neoplanet Inc. was a subsidiary of Bigfoot International, Inc. Both companies were founded by Lenny Barshack and James Hoffman. ==History== A beta version of a trident shell NeoPlanet was released in October 1997, one month after Internet Explorer 4.0 release. It featured a built-in directory of channels further divided into categories and was for use with Windows 95 and NT. In the fall of 1998 Bigfoot released the NeoPlanet 2.0 version with a new feature of customizable interface. It was positioned as an adjunct to Netscape which it required to run, and as an alternative to Microsoft's and AOL offerings. The new version also featured Snap (a joint-venture between CNET and NBC) and Alexa services incorporated into the browser.〔("Snap and Alexa Land On NeoPlanet" ), ''InternetNews.com'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 The free 1.9MB download was a significant interface upgrade with four skins included and 16 more available on the newly launched NeoPlanet site, while the Microsoft Internet Explorer's underlying features remained unchanged.〔Goddard, John. ("Free Interface Lift for Your Browser" ), ''PCWorld'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 In January 1999, Bigfoot spun out the NeoPlanet division into NeoPlanet, Inc. By spring 2000, NeoPlanet had moved its headquarters to Tempe, Arizona. It then raised $23 million from Integral Capital, J & W Seligman, Constellation Ventures, Broadview and several other investors during the second round of funding.〔Moltzen, Edward F. ("Custom Browser? Way Cool" ), ''CRN'', Retrieved on 2012-5-8.〕 Drew Cohen, hired by Barshack and Hoffman to head the new venture, relocated several Bigfoot team members to work on the project, including Warren Adelman (Business Development), Thomas Santoriello (Creative Design), and Frank Robledano (Content Direction). One of NeoPlanet’s primary business strategies was to provide customizable browser interfaces to third parties, pioneering the branded browsers niche. McAfee and Terra Lycos were among NeoPlanet's first partners, each launching multiple versions of branded browsers.〔Cheng, Kipp. ("Lycos and NeoPlanet Forge Multi-Year Deal" ), ''FindArticles'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕〔McDonald, Glenn. ("McAfee Debuts Customized Browser" ), ''PCWorld'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 Also in 1999, NeoPlanet, together with New Line Cinema, launched the Austin Powers browser to coincide with the premiere date of ''Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me''.〔Quistgaard, Kaitlin ("Got my groovy browser baby, yeah" ), ''Salon.com'', Retrieved on 2012-4-29.〕 The Austin Powers Browser marked NeoPlanet's first branded browser for a feature film. The NeoPlanet/New Line launch of the Dr. Evil Browser soon followed. With the release of version 5.0, Neoplanet made a move toward virtual communities. The browser described as an "Internet Desktop" added Macromedia Flash, instant messaging and the sharing of channels and other user-generated content.〔Festa, Paul. ("Browser multitasks as "Internet Desktop" ), ''CNET'', Retrieved on 2012-4-30.〕 Throughout 2000, NeoPlanet garnered partnerships to market and distribute branded browsers with major companies in the entertainment, computer manufacturing and sports arenas, including Universal Studios, Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, USA Networks, MTV, The Lord of the Rings, TV Guide, Hewlett Packard, Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix Coyotes. Also, a "matching skins" campaign with RealNetworks allowed users to match the look-and-feel of the NeoPlanet Browser with that of RealNetworks' RealJukebox TM. Also in 2000, Universal Pictures launched the official Grinch Web Browser at ''www.meanone.com'' to promote the movie ''Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas''. The new browser featured unique interface designs with sounds and images from The Grinch movie and direct "channel" links to Grinch Web sites and the Universal Pictures Web sites. The Grinch Browser also featured a Lycos/Grinch Club, an integrated online community that provided movie fans with a vehicle for sharing similar interests with other users.〔Teichgraeber , Tara.("'Dear Santa' taking on new meaning for kids" ), ''Phoenix Business Journal'', Retrieved on 2012-4-30.〕 In 2001 NeoPlanet released its Viassary suite designed to personalize PC users` experience and to help companies to better understand and communicate with their customers.〔("NeoPlanet Intros Multi-Platform Software That Extends Communications From Desktop To PDAs, Phones" ), ''Technology Marketing Corporation'', Retrieved on 2012-4-30.〕 Compaq and HP were among its clients. As of 2001 the number of Neoplanet users reached 8 million.〔("Custom approach lures Compaq to Tempe firm" ), ''Tucson Citizen'', Retrieved on 2012-4-30.〕 Later that year, Bigfoot International Incorporated was divided and sold off by the Acxiom Corporation due to lost of investment and the dot-com collapse. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「NeoPlanet」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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