Ages ago I asked on the GQ why it was that certain sites (such as cnet) seemed to “grab” my computer so that while they were loading, I couldn’t do anything else. I can’t find that thread, but I didn’t get any real answers then anyway.
Thing is, the SDMB never used to do that, but now it does. While one page is loading, I very often can’t flick between other windows without long lags while the 'puter gets around to heeding my request, seemingly because it’s tied up loading other SDMB pages.
Anyone know why that might be? Is there anything I can do?
For the record, Win 95 and Netscape 4.79
Just a WAG on my part, but I would guess that this upgrade, like all else that has come along in computerland, is now so big and full up of itself that it takes more of your computer resources to load properly. That also takes time.
I note that you are using what is essentially legacy software – it would probably take an OS upgrade and lots more RAM to give you the best experience. Oh, and vB is written much more for IE than for Netscape, just the nature o’ the beast.
Sorry.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Thanks TD, although I don’t think RAM or OS have anything to do with it, because my home 'puter does the same on some sites and it’s pretty much state of the art (ish).
I do suspect however that though I am kicking, though I am screaming, nonetheless I am sooner rather than later going to have to give up on Netscape and give in to He-Who’s-Software-Must-Be-Used. Dammit.
You could try using Opera Princhester. I have a very low tech system and I’m not having problems with the SDMB locking up my system (although I do get that problem with sites which have auto-refresh enabled).
Maybe we should ask some of the folks that use alternative browsers such as Opera for their opinions.
Sorry you’re having problems, we really want this to be a good experience for everyone and it’s frustrating when it’s not.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Don’t worry too much TD. Overall, I am a bit concerned about just how happy it makes me that the SDMB back at all.
I am not addicted I am not addicted I am not addicted.
It’s working fine with Opera 6 Tuba and I’m on a P166 running Win 98.
Netscape 4.72, Windows 2000, and having the same problem. Maybe I’ll try it on Netscape 6 a little later…
If I may venture a guess, though, I’d say that the new version probably uses some Java tricks that need to be loaded. All of the formatting buttons in the reply window, for instance, are almost certainly Java. I’ve heard, though not yet confirmed, that you can turn off those options in your preferences: Perhaps this would help?
I have had no problems with Mac OS 9.0.4 / Netscape 6.2, and Windows 2000 / Internet Explorer 5.0
Regarding Java, Chronos, no I have that switched off at all times (because it seems to be something that programmers use more for annoying little gizmos than anything useful).
However, I do have Javascript on, because that seems to be pretty much essential for most sites to work. That could be it.
I’ve noticed that everything freezes up while the pages are loading. I’m using Mac OS 9.2. It happens with Netscape Communicator 4.79 and with IE 5.1.