kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 18, 2021 4:05:13 GMT
Entry #9:
PALE MOON
This is the first of what I consider the lesser browsers, ones that don't have all the features mentioned previously.
Available since 2009, Pale Moon was originally forked from Firefox. It's now an independent browser that still has some of the older Firefox features from versions 4 through 28 (circa 2011-2014).
It has a nice modern looking interface. It's also available in the repos, making it easier to keep updated.
uBlock Origin can be installed, but that process is not as intuitive as the other browsers.
OneTab is not available, which is a big demerit for me, but your use case may not factor that in.
An extension called Tab Session Manager is available, which seems to be the best one I can find for managing tabs.
The ram usage is nothing to write home about. A blank start page scores well at 200 mb which is less than Brave, but the home page seems rather bloated at 264 mb which is more than Firefox. The 3 web page comparison test is a bit over 500 mb, which is less than Firefox but more than Vivaldi.
Pale Moon still runs in single process mode. This can have performance advantages when a system has less than 4 gb ram.
Overall, it's a pretty good browser. There are lighter alternatives which will be mentioned soon, but its ease in keeping it updated by being in the repos propelled it to a higher spot in the list.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 19, 2021 4:56:21 GMT
Entry #10:
SeaMonkey
Available since 2006, this is an internet suite directly related to the now defunct Netscape Communicator and Mozilla Application Suite. It should be considered the little brother to Firefox which had started as Phoenix in 2002 and eventually renamed Firefox in 2004. The interface is reminiscent of Netscape Communicator which was discontinued in 2002.
SeaMonkey has an internal email client which I have used in the past. I liked it, but couldn't figure out a way to independently open the client without starting the web browser.
uBlock Origin is available, but OneTab is not. Tab Session Manager is available similar to Pale Moon.
It's pretty light at 108 mb at start placing it at 3rd lowest, and it's 2nd lowest at 386 mb with the 3 web pages used to test.
I did have to issue some demerits but they are minor inconveniences.
1. It cannot be added to the repos.
2. There is no deb file offered.
3. All updates must be installed manually by downloading the tarball file. The SeaMonkey home page will provide an alert when a new release is available. What I do is have the terminology command saved in a leafpad file. To install, I copy and paste:
sudo tar xvf seamonkey-2.53.10.1.en-US.linux-x86_64.tar.bz2 -C /opt/
The filename needs to be changed to reflect the latest release that's just been downloaded.
In the tar xvf command, v can be removed if you don't want to see the installation text displayed.
All-in-all, I didn't want to rank SeaMonkey this low. It's a good browser with a light footprint. I just can't feel comfortable with not being able to store my tabs as I'm used to doing with OneTab. Other than that, I really do like it.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 20, 2021 5:23:49 GMT
Entry #11:
Basilisk
In 2017 the founder and developer of Pale Moon decided to start a new project called Basilisk that serves as a reference application to further develop the Pale Moon codebase. This project is considered to be in perpetual beta and a less stable version of Pale Moon. I've never had any noticeable issues with it though the past couple of years that I've used it on occasion.
Feature-wise it's said to be similar to Firefox versions 29–56 (circa 2014-2017), but without the modern amenities I'm used to. Both uBlock Origin and OneTab are not available add-ons.
It does allow for Tab Session Manager. It also has a decent alternative ad blocker called ABPrime that was created by Pale Moon.
Basilisk's start page is rather light using 100 mb, but comes in at a rather average 504 mb using the 3 web page test, in-between Vivaldi and Pale Moon.
I installed in /opt but didn't think to give it root privileges. Call it a happy accident. As it turns out, the update process is automatic, but you do need to click a button to accept. This process is not password protected as is usual in installing software on a Linux distribution, so I prefer to leave it without root privileges and update it with a different method.
To update, I just open terminology and enter sudo /opt/basilisk/basilisk to open the browser as root so it can perform the update. Once it says update complete, I shut the browser off and open again by the normal method from the menu with non-root privileges. You can also update manually similar to SeaMonkey as described in entry #10.
I've used Basilisk periodically and it's pretty good. It just doesn't have the features I need so I don't use it often. It's worth a try however.
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kiezel
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Post by kiezel on Dec 20, 2021 10:34:04 GMT
Good initiative, and thanks for sharing all the information about these browsers. Entry #11: To update, I just open terminology and enter sudo /opt/basilisk/basilisk to open the browser as root so it can perform the update. One sidenote: even launching a web browser just once with root permissions, may be enough to mess up the permissions of some files in your home directory. Not only the browser configuration, which is the obvious victim, but other, less obvious files as well. So I definitely discourage that update method.
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chour
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Post by chour on Dec 20, 2021 14:28:45 GMT
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 20, 2021 19:25:21 GMT
Good initiative, and thanks for sharing all the information about these browsers. Entry #11: To update, I just open terminology and enter sudo /opt/basilisk/basilisk to open the browser as root so it can perform the update. One sidenote: even launching a web browser just once with root permissions, may be enough to mess up the permissions of some files in your home directory. Not only the browser configuration, which is the obvious victim, but other, less obvious files as well. So I definitely discourage that update method. Ok I won't run it like that again and just use the method outlaid in Entry #10 for SeaMonkey. When I launched as root it did look different, not remembering the maximize size, the add-ons or the links I had previously used. It looked like it was brand new never launched. Seemed like an easier method, but if it has the potential to mess things up then I shouldn't do it.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 20, 2021 19:35:18 GMT
I've had better luck with Seamonkey: I run it from the source code folder, located on the files and pictures drive, not the system one. I run it, check for updates, the browser downloads the new version by itself, reboot and it's done. I will see if that method works for me. Hopefully I can remember the next time it tells me there is an update
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kiezel
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Post by kiezel on Dec 20, 2021 23:11:06 GMT
Ok I won't run it like that again Wise. You can fix potential ownership permission issues in your home directory with this command: sudo chown -Rc $USER:$USER $HOME When it's finished, reboot or log off and on again. I recommend to run it, as precautionary measure. It should make sure that everything in your /home belongs to you and nothing to root. Finally: please keep up the good work. Interesting to read.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 20, 2021 23:47:59 GMT
One issue that I have had is trying to give root permissions to /opt/basilisk/basilisk
I used the commands suggested by enigma9o7 in another thread for installing Waterfox by substituting the basilisk file paths.
sudo chmod 755 /opt/basilisk sudo chmod 755 /opt/basilisk/basilisk
but even after reboot the permissions remain 1001. Maybe I'm missing a command?
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 21, 2021 5:46:03 GMT
Entry #12
WATERFOX G3
Waterfox became available in 2011 as a fork of Firefox, focused more on retaining legacy extensions that are being dropped over time by Firefox.
There are currently 3 different versions of Waterfox and I've only had the opportunity to test one of them.
1. The original version is now called Classic. It's still being maintained but the newer G4 version is getting most of the attention.
2. Version 3 (G3) which is what I tested. It first became available in late 2020 but it doesn't appear to be a priority. I'm having trouble finding any reference to it on the Waterfox web site.
3. Version 4 (G4). This appears to be the future of Waterfox. There's only one problem. I can't test it because it requires a processor instruction set called SSE 4.3 which my machine doesn't recognize. It's too old, having been manufactured in 2008. More modern hardware shouldn't have a problem with this. Fortunately none of the other web browsers I've looked into are this strict. Using SSE 4.3 is supposed to increase performance. However, I've never heard of anyone who has said they want this because the current state of web browsers don't provide good performance. Perhaps this is just a dream of the developer trying to get ahead of the competition. There are a number of complaints that this version has too many bugs.
One more thing to mention is Waterfox was acquired by System1 in Dec 2019, an advertising company that claims to have the world’s most advanced Responsive Acquisition Marketing Platform, but the original developer does remain in place. A quote from the System1 website, "We have completed a series of strategic acquisitions, expanded around the world, and we are just getting started". Their brands include Startpage, info.com and MapQuest.
The only reason I decided to mention all this is I really don't have much of a review for Waterfox G3. It's one of the heaviest browsers and lacks the ability to have OneTab. Tab Session Manager is available as well as uBlock Origin.
It's apparent the G3 version won't be maintained and support has already been officially dropped for Mac.
Other than the browser actually working I don't see any reason to get it. Maybe I will download Classic and give it a spin. I'm in no hurry with all the quality web browsers that I've already reviewed.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 21, 2021 19:33:46 GMT
Update for Waterfox:
Blog entries for G3 on the Waterfox website, such as one from April 2021 that wikipedia links to, have been removed making it harder to really know what's going on. One thing I can figure out is it's probably called G3 because it requires the cpu instruction set SSE3. Just like the newer version requiring instruction set SSE 4.3 is called G4.
As far as SSE3 is concerned, Chrome began requiring this instruction set for x86 machines in March 2021, so any browsers based on Chromium have been upgraded to this requirement, which include Brave, Opera, Vivaldi and Slimjet.
Firefox has not made any announcements in this regard and their browser and similar projects such as LibreWolf, Pale Moon, Basilisk, SeaMonkey and Waterfox Classic remain at the SSE2 instruction set requirement.
So my conclusion is that G3 was a stepping stone to G4 and was never a serious project. They had to make sure SSE3 would work within the Waterfox framework before continuing to SSE 4.3 G4. This bears out by the fact G4 came out only 11 months after the first G3 was released.
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enigma9o7
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Post by enigma9o7 on Dec 21, 2021 21:09:29 GMT
As far as SSE3 is concerned, Chrome began requiring this instruction set for x86 machines in March 2021, so any browsers based on Chromium have been upgraded to this requirement, which include Brave, Opera, Vivaldi and Slimjet. That's interesting, I just confirmed, chromium doesn't work on my P4 (which only supports SSE2). I looked it up and it appears this requirement was implemented in version 89. This to me means it should definitely not be the default browser on Bodhi Legacy, as only the very very very last 32-bit cpus even support it.
Looking forward to your opinion on epiphany, thats the only one not even requiring SSE2.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 21, 2021 21:50:10 GMT
As far as SSE3 is concerned, Chrome began requiring this instruction set for x86 machines in March 2021, so any browsers based on Chromium have been upgraded to this requirement, which include Brave, Opera, Vivaldi and Slimjet. That's interesting, I just confirmed, chromium doesn't work on my P4 (which only supports SSE2). I looked it up and it appears this requirement was implemented in version 89. This to me means it should definitely not be the default browser on Bodhi Legacy, as only the very very very last 32-bit cpus even support it.
Looking forward to your opinion on epiphany, thats the only one not even requiring SSE2.
I didn't know Epiphany didn't require SSE2. I should have ranked it #12 then and Waterfox G3 #13. At least Epiphany has a use case for certain machines, whereas Waterfox G3 is simply a waste of time and hasn't been updated since October and probably won't receive any more updates. Chromium is starting to show some rust. I know it's not the easiest web browser to maintain. I'm currently experiencing an issue with version 96. My last active tab will refuse to load upon browser start. The other tabs will load with no problems. The offending tab has to be closed. The only way to correct this is turn off Hardware Acceleration. This is the first time I've ever had to do this and thanks to lead dev ylee for making that suggestion. I have no idea how this will affect performance, but so far I haven't noticed any issues with YouTube. I have tried a variety of things and tested with both Bodhi and Linux Mint 19 and 20. I will save all that for another thread.
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kev392
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Post by kev392 on Dec 22, 2021 5:36:10 GMT
Entry #13:
Epiphany
Epiphany started in 2002 and was rebranded GNOME Web in 2012. It's the official web browser of the GNOME project but has no dependencies on any GNOME desktop components. The name Epiphany is still used internally for development and in the source code. It's simply referred to as Web in the About section in the browser.
It's available in both 32 and 64 bit versions. It uses an engine very similar to Chrome. It's one of a handful of browsers that are still maintained that doesn't require the SSE2 instruction set. This became a big deal around 2015-2016 when most browsers started requiring this. This caused my Pentium III to go on strike permanently as a desirable internet computer. Links2, Lynx, NetSurf and Surf are also browsers that do not require SSE2 and I should test them, so we may end up with a lot more than 13 reviews.
It currently has no extensions but there are plans to add some. It does have an integrated ad blocker that works pretty good. Some of the more complicated web pages take longer to load on Epiphany than the other browsers I've tested. It's not too bad though, maybe 5 seconds longer. On a blank start page, it comes in 1st place at 76 mb. It jumps to last place though at 624 mb when using the 3 web page test. That's probably due to the ad blocker not being as efficient as uBlock Origin.
Epiphany at least has a use case for certain lower end hardware. Even if you have a newer computer Epiphany works perfectly fine. It just lacks the features I'm looking for, but it has its place in the Linux web browser community.
I am adjusting the rankings and placing Epiphany at #12 and Waterfox G3 at #13.
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enigma9o7
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Post by enigma9o7 on Dec 22, 2021 5:55:39 GMT
Entry #13: EpiphanyEpiphany started in 2002 and was rebranded GNOME Web in 2012. It's the official web browser of the GNOME project but has no dependencies on any GNOME desktop components. The name Epiphany is still used internally for development and in the source code. It's simply referred to as Web in the About section in the browser. It's available in both 32 and 64 bit versions. It uses an engine very similar to Chrome.
My understanding is the engine it uses, webkit, is what's also used in Safari and iPhone....
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