Techsurvivors
Archives => 2003 => Topic started by: BRG on April 05, 2003, 06:52:00 PM
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I am so frustrated with Netscape 7.02. In spite of all of its great features (i.e., Password Manager, tabbing windows, etc.).
it is so "buggy" that I am seeking an alternative...
Am I better off switching to Mozilla or Netscape 4.xx?
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Mozilla 3.1
Yes! By all means! It works!
Actually, there are a few web sites where it has problems, but that's why we all should have more than one browser to choose from.
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BRG, what are your problems? And what operating system are you runnning?
Mozilla would be good.
So far, three Macs running Netscape 7.0.2 and they do it with out complaining. I do have IE on each one for those pesky sites that still give trouble to NS. Most times I never start up IE.
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Mozilla sounds interesting, but they haven't released a Classic MacOS9.x version since way back in late 2002...
Does Mozilla install all the stuff that NS does? I'd think AOL, AIM and all that wouldn't be included.
I also use Opera 5 which I like a lot, I tried a beta version of Opera 6 and got rid of it... it "dropped" folders and files all over my system partition... seems much more OS X related now too. Since then I've been leery of trying it again...
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Dreambird,
Mozilla is very much like Netscape minus the AOL garbage.
It utilizes the traditional and classic skins.
It has virtually the same mail client.
It comes with ChatZilla (IRC client), which I have no need for.
Mozilla has trouble on the same sites as Netscape 7.x, so it's a good idea to have IE around for those sites.
I jump back and forth between Mozilla and Safari. When Safari grows up to be a fully operatational browser, I may use it as my primary browser. The beta v67 which I currently have is a great browser! It just needs some tightening up.
My guess is, Safari's first FULL edition will be out before or at the same time of the next OS X update in September.
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BRG
I struggled to get comfortable with 7.02. In general that's now finally "evolved".
I'd be interested in what troubles you the most.
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Thanks Bruce for that description of Mozilla...
I have to say I'm tickled that there "are" more choices for browsers these days, it's just getting a bit harder with a Classic MacOS like 9.1 as software companies don't develop for it anymore... I didn't think Mozilla would be one of those, but their site doesn't say they won't upgrade it ever. I hope they do.
One thing I'm pretty sure of is that Netscape "if" it follows the pattern it took from v3.x to v4.x, it'll continue to develop until it's to the point where I'll switch to v7.x permanently. It took until NS4.5 that I threw out NS3.04 for good. Since Mozilla is "the" engine behind it, it should get better too.
Hoping one day we can get more consistancy between websites too... that'll take more compliance to "one" standard.
I find that Opera will open most everything I have trouble with in Netscape... I think to have a couple of browsers is a good idea too...
I very much like the shots of Safari I've seen, and what I've heard... but it's just not enough to make me want to move on to a new OS just yet...
Hi Dick... happy to hear that you've got your Netscape running OK now...
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Hi again! And my thanks to all of you for your advice and most informative responses!
A couple of you have asked about what specific problems I am having with Netscape 7.02: Here is my list...
1) Many times the "Back" button appears to be "locked down"; this results in the following (major) problems: navigating with the "Back" button and not being able to type URL's or fill-in text boxes.
2) No email notification alert
3) When I click on the "Home" button, too many times I have been transported to the previous page, not my home page.
4) I cannot use Windows Media Player's plug-in or "Net-Print" with Netscape 7.xx.
5) I do not know whow to eliminate the annoying sound when I page finished downloading (ok, this is really not a major problem )
6) Sometimes, my typed text will be displayed ever-so-slowly (while the cursor remains a stopwatch until the typing is completed). This just happened as I was typing this reply.
7) When I open two or more browser window "Tabs", there is an excellent possibility that this browser will eventually quit on me.
My Apple G3's specs: OS 9.2.2 with 256 MB RAM (and plenty of RAM Memory allotted to Nescape 7.02).
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I've been running Netscape 7.0.1 since it came out. I like it.
1)not being able to type URL's or fill-in text boxes.
I had that problem but I can't remember how I fixed it...I'll put on my thinking cap. I think Jennie helped with that.
2)I miss "Net-Print" too sometimes. My workaround on that is keeping an alias of SimpeText in my Desk Accessories folder and just copying and pasting what I need.
3) No email notification alert.
I've never used one. I just checked my prefs and I don't see a choice for one. I thought there was one.
[ 04-06-2003, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: Gary S ]
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Try looking through the "Known Problems" in the release notes... it's shed light on things sometimes.
http://wp.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/ns7/relnotes/7.html
I've never been able to get a "sound" alert for email either... even in NS4.x... I've always just used the "flashing inbox" icon... it flashes in the in menu where the apple is. I believe that's just a function of setting it to automatically check and download your email.
The "URL" problem Gary mentions was in the release notes for NS7.0... it involved just deleting a couple of files or something and letting them regenerate I think...
Also make sure that your NS7.x isn't asking for a 50mb Cache and 50 day history... that'll mess it up, don't know why it's the default but it's WAY too much... knock them down to 5-7mb Cache (I use none) and 5-7 day history. Clear them...
[ 04-06-2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Dreambird ]
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Yes, that cache problem, on installation and when I didn't bother to check it.
By the time I did, it was enormous (at the default settings, if I recall.) If I use NS 7 now, I keep the disk cache to zero and the memory cache low.
I tried without-trimmings Mozilla for a bit.
Not bad.
Edited because of Azerty and my clumsy finger. The "a" is right next to the tab button and if I hit that by mistake, it sends...
[ 04-06-2003, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: taliesin ]
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Dreambird & Gary S,
Thanks for your advice! I will follow through on my part.
I will also be trying "Opera 6" and "Mozilla".
BRG
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Please let us know how it goes... If you're using OS9.x and don't care for Opera 6 try Opera 5... in fact they have that version for OS X too I think...
Best of luck with it all!
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Having given up on Netscape some time ago due to crashing, I've been using 7 on and off lately and it hasn't quit yet. Unfortunately the mouse button I have programmed to Command + click to open window in new tab just doesn't work under Netscape, I just get the popup menu. It does open a new window for IE and that means one click vs. two clicks and since I'm so lazy...IE wins.
Chalk one up for N 7 though. Recently I've been trying to sign up for a cheaper cents per minute long distance phone company but the final page is always some server error with IE. Just for kicks I tried it with N7 and bingo, it went through just fine. Will know when the next month's phone bill comes in if it really worked.
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Update: So far, Mozilla 1.2.1 is working well for me and OS9.
It seems to be more reliable than Netscape 7. (btw, I did not like Opera - esp. since it has no built-in email function).
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Thank-you! very much for posting as to your progress... I was wondering about Mozilla because I run OS9.1 and the newest versions appear to be release "only" for OS X, the newest is v1.3 I think, so it's good to know that an older version works well.
Opera... yes I miss the built in email too, so I pretty much need to run NS4.76 and Opera at the same time which isn't really a big problem. The one thing that is much more annoying and inconvenient for me is the lack of a personal toolbar in Opera 5... I miss that a lot!
I think a program like URL Pro to manage url's might be the answer, I'll give a try but would still like the toolbar.
In fact I just checked and the newest version of Mozilla is now v1.4a but again only for OS X.
They have this message on their board:
quote:
We initially release builds on the Win32, Mac OS X and Linux x86 platforms. In the days following the initial release, volunteers contribute builds for other platforms. If the build
you're looking for isn't here yet, DON'T PANIC.
Moi?? I never panic!
[ 04-13-2003, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: Dreambird ]