America Online has unveiled its first update of the Netscape Web browser program in five years.

It includes Microsoft's Internet browser engine and switches between the Firefox and Internet Explorer systems, depending on whether the Web user enters an address recognized as a so-called trusted site.

David Card, a Jupiter Research analyst who tried test versions of Netscape 8.0 during the development, said it's a "good product." AOL also plans to boost sales by unveiling a revamped version of its AOL.com Web site by the end of June.

The Netscape upgrade is the first since AOL in 2003 fired most of its Netscape browser development employees.

Some, including Ross, went on to create Firefox, which is distributed by the Mozilla foundation. The browser is available for a free download at www.netscape.com.