Please recommend a "lite" browser for an elderly Linux computer

seclists · 02-14-2005, 01:42 AM

Hi, one of my computers is a Linux computer (RH7.something) dedicated for browsing and reading/sending webmail. The problem is, the default browser in the install (Netscape 4.7something IIRC) is behaving pretty poorly. It often crashes without any apparent reason messing up something as it does so and fails to restart (forcing me to *reboot* the whole Linux system, merely killing the NS processes does not fix the problem). Also, the scripts used by many webmail services often fail to work in Netscape, making such functions as "Send" impossible to use. :/

So I'm looking for an alternative, as the computer is definitely usable aside from the browser. I don't need no Flash or other sexy features, just enough (Java)script support to enable webmail services. And since the computer is a bit "elderly" (it has only 48MB RAM), the browser would have to be relatively "light". It would definitely be a plus if you can turn image autoloading on/off as needed and set script execution and cookie privileges on a per-site basis.

Any suggestions?
(Addendum: I'm using Gnome, not KDE, if that makes a difference.)

[ 02-14-2005, 01:46 AM: Message edited by: seclists ]

Harkoliar · 02-14-2005, 06:18 AM

im not a linux expert.. but does mozilla work well with linux?

RoSs_bg2_rox · 02-14-2005, 06:32 AM

Well yeah it works great, but 48mbs of RAM, you be pushing it. You could always use epiphany or galleon, since they are GTK2 browsers so you should see a bit better performance.

You could always pull the boat out and buy a 128mb stick of ram for a few quid

philip · 02-14-2005, 08:31 AM

Dillo is supposed to be really light.

shamrock_uk · 02-14-2005, 09:01 AM

http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/browserSpeed.html#linspeed

According to this web page Opera under Linux seems far faster than Firefox so would probably be a good bet on a low-spec computer. Certainly it contains many easily accessible options to reduce page content as well.

According to some threads asking for advice about which version to use on old computers, people have reported using Opera 7.11 on a computer with 32MB RAM and it ran fine (albeit under windows) and was much more stable than IE. Later versions are much faster, but tend to have a greater memory overhead.

If you do decide to go this route, http://nontroppo.org/wiki/Opera7Performance
is a good site with some advice on getting maximum performance.

Dillo does seem to be consistently mentioned as the best browser for low spec machines, but you may be sacrificing some functionality - having never used it, I can't really comment.

[ 02-14-2005, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

02-14-2005, 06:18 AM	#2
Harkoliar Jack Burton Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney Age: 42 Posts: 5,556	im not a linux expert.. but does mozilla work well with linux? __________________ Catch me if you can..

02-14-2005, 06:32 AM	#3
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 36 Posts: 5,225	Well yeah it works great, but 48mbs of RAM, you be pushing it. You could always use epiphany or galleon, since they are GTK2 browsers so you should see a bit better performance. You could always pull the boat out and buy a 128mb stick of ram for a few quid __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"Infrared" software. Is this a virus on my computer?	Klorox	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	3	12-19-2004 09:25 AM
Searching for "Star Blazers" aka "Uchuu Senchen Yamato," or "Space Battleship Yamato"	Skydracgrrl	Entertainment (Movies, TV Shows and Books/Comics)	3	12-17-2004 01:38 PM
Searching for "Star Blazers" aka "Uchuu Senchen Yamato," or "Space Battleship Yamato"	Skydracgrrl	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	0	12-02-2004 09:27 PM
status on "pool of twilight" & "EOB4, xanathar's revenge"?	manikus	Dungeon Craft - RPG Game Maker	0	05-03-2003 07:28 PM
A Kind of Answer to "Your First ever Computer game"	Arvon	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	3	10-24-2002 07:34 PM

02-14-2005, 01:42 AM	#1
seclists Dungeon Master Join Date: December 18, 2003 Location: NA Age: 54 Posts: 57	Hi, one of my computers is a Linux computer (RH7.something) dedicated for browsing and reading/sending webmail. The problem is, the default browser in the install (Netscape 4.7something IIRC) is behaving pretty poorly. It often crashes without any apparent reason messing up something as it does so and fails to restart (forcing me to reboot the whole Linux system, merely killing the NS processes does not fix the problem). Also, the scripts used by many webmail services often fail to work in Netscape, making such functions as "Send" impossible to use. :/ So I'm looking for an alternative, as the computer is definitely usable aside from the browser. I don't need no Flash or other sexy features, just enough (Java)script support to enable webmail services. And since the computer is a bit "elderly" (it has only 48MB RAM), the browser would have to be relatively "light". It would definitely be a plus if you can turn image autoloading on/off as needed and set script execution and cookie privileges on a per-site basis. Any suggestions? (Addendum: I'm using Gnome, not KDE, if that makes a difference.) [ 02-14-2005, 01:46 AM: Message edited by: seclists ]

02-14-2005, 08:31 AM	#4
philip Galvatron Join Date: June 24, 2002 Location: aa Posts: 2,101	Dillo is supposed to be really light.

02-14-2005, 09:01 AM	#5
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 3,092	http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/browserSpeed.html#linspeed According to this web page Opera under Linux seems far faster than Firefox so would probably be a good bet on a low-spec computer. Certainly it contains many easily accessible options to reduce page content as well. According to some threads asking for advice about which version to use on old computers, people have reported using Opera 7.11 on a computer with 32MB RAM and it ran fine (albeit under windows) and was much more stable than IE. Later versions are much faster, but tend to have a greater memory overhead. If you do decide to go this route, http://nontroppo.org/wiki/Opera7Performance is a good site with some advice on getting maximum performance. Dillo does seem to be consistently mentioned as the best browser for low spec machines, but you may be sacrificing some functionality - having never used it, I can't really comment. [ 02-14-2005, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)