Of the large software firms, only Netscape and Corel have so far pledged full support.

ECONOMIST: Software

But back when Netscape was the only Internet browser, Economides said, it basically controlled the process for setting technical standards for communication on the Internet because it could roll them out into the market if anyone disagreed.

FORBES: Liberty Media Unit Says Standards Manipulated By Competitors

The software is free, and Microsoft crushed its only serious commercial competition, Netscape, almost a decade ago.

FORBES: Why Firefox Matters

It was only ten years ago that the Netscape Web browser appeared.

FORBES: Magazine Article

They also support audio codec 2.5 (decode only) and plug-ins for Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

CNN: Top 10 video tools

Lewis has picked a totemic figure, Jim Clark, the founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape and Healtheon--a trifecta of multibillion-dollar-market-cap creations pulled off only by Clark.

FORBES: Good, Bad And Ugly