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Why The Hell Does Firefox (Still) Eat Up So Much Memory?

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:00 AM PST

Currently I’m running the Firefox 4 Beta 12 browser on both my netbook with XP and desktop with Win7 64-bit. On both systems, Firefox still has the same memory-releasing problem it has had for years. As such, I find it mandatory to run Memory Fox.

Why do I continue to deal with Fx even though it’s a memory-muncher?

Because it’s the best browser that exists. Fx never has a problem with any site I go to whether new, old or anywhere in between. It also has the best add-ons, period.

To those that would say "Use Chrome!" No. I’ve already been down that road. Chromies sing the praises of how great that browser is, but in reality it’s the absolute worst power user’s browser. Bookmark management is beyond horrible, the extensions available are half-assed compared to Fx’s add-on directory, profile management is a joke, and the list goes on and on.

For you Chromies out there, you can have your browser because I won’t touch it. I’ve had my rounds with both Chrome and Chromium, I gave the browser a fair shot, and um.. no.

Is it Fx’s fault alone that it eats up so much memory?

Not entirely.

The browser blows up in memory use beyond belief whenever you run into your friend and mine, Flash. I have noticed that when I’m not viewing Flash-heavy sites that Fx 4 does at least remain civilized in terms of how much memory it uses. It also has a much easier time releasing memory.

Video sites in particular like YouTube is where Fx really starts getting chunked up. Granted, Memory Fox keeps things in check, but the fact I have to use that just to avoid browser restarts is beyond dumb.

Is it true that if you use a Flash blocker that Fx runs a whole lot lighter on resources? Yes.

How do you know when Memory Fox is doing its job?

Via Task Manager:

It’s really cool Memory Fox works as well as it goes, but like I said, the fact I have to use it makes no sense. This is 2011, the internet has some good tenure under its belt and Fx should be able to release memory on its own after closing a tab, yet that doesn’t happen.

Why, Firefox? Why?

In the meantime, if you’re a Fx user, it’s pretty much mandatory that you need Memory Fox. Get it here.

Post from: PCMech. Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On And Live The Digital Lifestyle.

Why The Hell Does Firefox (Still) Eat Up So Much Memory?

Old School: Access Weather Underground With Telnet

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:00 AM PST

Weather Underground is a site just about everyone has visited at one point or another. Personally, I’ve been using the site for years. WU is one of the oldest web sites on the internet, and in fact is so old that that it’s original 1992 (yes, 1992) version was accessed via the telnet protocol. That original version is still accessible today and you can access it at the telnet server address rainmaker.wunderground.com.

See video below for how to access Weather Underground using telnet to see what it’s like. It’s very simple and very basic, but it still works great.