Firefox Bloated? Hardly.
18 May 2007Recently Wired ran an article where they argued the opinion that Firefox has become ‘bloated’ since it’s inception.
What really bothered me about this article is that it didn’t take into account that software development is a process of evolution. Without newer features and function, there would be no use for a version numbering system. You would release your product, wipe your hands clean and move on. This isn’t the case as programs continue to evolve in an effort to appeal to a wider range of users, while keeping pace with the technologies of the day.
I honestly think that any argument about an application being a memory hog, these days, is completely pointless. With even LOW END home PC’s shipping with 512MB to 1GB of RAM standard, having a browser use 50-100mb of RAM is hardly something to even worry over, let alone write about. Lets say worst case the user was reaching the limit of their physical memory, today’s SATA 150/300 hard drives are leaps and bounds faster than the PATA drives of yesteryear. This allows for much faster paging operations when the memory is full or when the OS is trying to unload shared libraries that might not currently be in use.
And in all fairness calling Firefox bloated would mean that it’s competition would have to be leaner, which isn’t the case. Even as I write this entry, I have five tabs open in Firefox. Memory use: 72MB. I open those same URL’s in I.E. 7.0 and it’s memory use is over 80MB! So even with Firefox being ‘bloated’, I.E. still requires 10% more memory for the same content. Of course, I don’t take into account my RSS feeds and Plugins that are currently loaded in Firefox, which gives it an even further edge.
What cracks me up most about the entire argument is that these people can still install ANY previous version of Firefox that they felt met their needs. Mozilla provides an archive here of EVERY MAJOR RELEASE since 0.1. No, that won’t do it seems. The people who raise these complaints want all the new FEATURES of the current version of Firefox, without any overhead or cost to their system. Sorry folks, that’s just not how computer software (or life in general) works.
So, to those who complain that Firefox is too bloated and won’t run on their slow PC’s, I have two words of advice:
First, catch up with civilization. Enjoy the fruits of many years of innovation and research. The wheel, central air conditioning, the microwave and the modern home computer. Your argument that Firefox has become bloated could be applied to cars as well. I’m sure you hang on to your Ford Model T because all you need is wheels and an engine. No need for the frills.
Second, if you MUST be drug along with modern technology while still using antiquated hardware, consider using another fledgling browser that caters to those looking for bare bones and light weight design. You could run K-Meleon (which is based off Gecko) or you can download and install Firefox v1.0 that you still foam in your pants about. Nobody is stopping you and heck, I’ll promise to not even think less of you.
So you go ahead and hang on to your Model T, but please, when you see me go flying by in my suped-up Bugatti Veyron, don’t write your congressman and complain that car’s these days are too bloated with features and horsepower. Either stick with your decision, or catch up with society.
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