Slow Netscape 4.7x performance?

[skelly]

I'm using Caldera OpenLinux 2.3 with Netscape 4.72 (just upgraded from 4.7 which also does it) and I'm having really slow response time. I get a lot of &quot;stalled&quot; messages during downloads, and pages take about twice as long in general to load. Doesn't seem to disconnect very much, but just slow responses. This has happened with 2 different ISP's connecting at the same speed as I usually do with Windows 95/NT. I'm using an IBM Thinkpad with a US Robotics 28.8 PCMCIA modem. Any ideas?<br><br>Thx,<br>SK<br>

 

[AndyBo]

Got a few ideas...&nbsp;&nbsp;First one is, get a quicker modem!&nbsp;&nbsp;28.8 is a little slow these days, especially if you're browsing some graphics rich sites at the same time.<br><br>Next, disable Java in Netscape.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is notorious for causing Netscape to crash as soon as it gets a sniff of JAva on a web page.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disabling Java shouldn't affect your surfing too much, and will help in the long run.<br><br>Also, can you try using a different FTP tool to download a file and compare this with Netscape's performance?&nbsp;&nbsp;ie, command line <A HREF="ftp://FTP.&nbsp" TARGET="_new">FTP.&nbsp</A>;&nbsp;Download the same 1Mb+ file twice - once with Netscape, once with command line FTP - time how long it takes for each and compare the results.&nbsp;&nbsp;(You might want to do this a few times to get an accurate comparison.)<br><br>If command line FTP works better, try using that in preference to using Netscape.&nbsp;&nbsp;(You'll also avoid problems with half-downloaded files hanging around from Netscape crashes! ;^)<br><br>Also, try using Lynx to surf with.&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you *really* need to use Netscape?&nbsp;&nbsp;I've had similar problems to the ones you describe, and I tend to use Lynx to surf when I just need info, and switch to Netscape when I need the eye candy &nbsp;&nbsp;You'll be amazed at how quickly things can download when you take out the graphics...<br><br>You could also try setting up a caching-nameserver on your box.&nbsp;&nbsp;This can be tricky, but most distributions come with pre-configured caching BIND servers.&nbsp;&nbsp;IP addresses will get cached locally and save Netscape from doing lots of expensive DNS lookups (which it seems to like to do at every opportunity...&nbsp;&nbsp;it even fires up a process called &quot;dns-helper&quot; that runs all the time.)&nbsp;&nbsp;I tried this on my Mandrake box, and it helped.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not massively, but there is a small difference.<br><br>On a final note, consider installing Apache and setting it up as a caching proxy.&nbsp;&nbsp;While you're at it set up the &quot;mod_rewrite&quot; module to filter out all those ad banners that can take forever to download.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Suggested new Doubleclick slogan:&nbsp;&nbsp;&quot;We server a billion banners a day from three crusty servers that will slow down your surfing experience to a crawl&quot; &lt;/whinge off&gt; There's details on doing this in April's Linux Journal, and I'm going to be trying this myself in the very near future.<br><br>Hope this helps.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let us know how you get on.

 

[mregan]

I am reading a lot of complaints with Netscape 4.72. Everything from memory leaks to systems hanging. Try going back to 4.70 <p>Michael Regan<br><a href=mailto:mregan@bccs-ca.com>mregan@bccs-ca.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.bccs-ca.com/>Black

Cat Computer Systems</a><br>Black Cat Computer Systems build Linux servers and work<br>
stations for the small office. Our systems feature the AMD<br>
line of processors. They are an excellent balance of price,<br>
performance and reliability.<br>

 

[AndyBo]

Something I'm actually doing at the moment is browsing using the KDE file manager - kfm - and it's working a treat! A heck of a lot better than Netscape! Been browsing for about 1 1/2 hours, and not had a crash yet Speed is excellent, but there are a few minor display issues with tables, etc. Might be worth trying

 

[skelly]

Thanks all, I'll take your advice - especially KDE! -SK