The young company, best known for its Navigator software used by millions of people to browse the Internet's World Wide Web, earned $7.7 million, or 9 cents a share, up from $175,000 in the quarter a year earlier.

Netscape, a Mountain View, Calif., company best known for its Navigator software for browsing the World Wide Web, said it would reduce its work force, close some offices and refocus on corporate sales.

Netscape, best known for its Navigator software for browsing the World Wide Web, said it would reduce its workforce, close some offices and refocus on corporate sales.

And although other browsers are available, Netscape's Navigator software has emerged as many people's browser of choice.

Netscape had yet to go public, and Bill Gates hadn't introduced his answer to Netscape's Navigator software - Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Netscape has one of the most popular sites on the Web, allowing visitors to download its Navigator software, which helps users browse the Web.

The Navigator software produced by the Netscape Communications Corporation is still the leading browser program, but the Microsoft browser, Internet Explorer, is gaining fast.

It is equipped with a 14.4-kilobit-a-second modem and four CD-ROM's, including one containing the Netscape Communications Corporation's Navigator software for browsing the World Wide Web.

America Online also said yesterday that it would provide Netscape's popular Navigator software to its more than five million subscribers.

The Netscape Communications Corporation, provider of the Navigator software for browsing the Web, has agreed to post a free link to the survey on its high-profile home page.