Thanks Dan... Nice one. Now I am wondering if there is any advantage in giving lots of memory to apps that are savvy to temporary memory (am puzzled as to how it can hurt - you mention a case). Of course, it is wise I expect to give lots where one is not sure how clever the app is...
David Elmo > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [PCI] Subject: Re: [PCI] insufficient memory!?!? > > At 11:14 AM +1100 03/12/2004, David Elmo wrote: >>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >>> iCab uses temporary memory for the most part. So the *only* time you >>> should increase its memory size is if you have a *specific* plug-in >>> that requires it (is not temp-memory aware). FWIW, I often have a >>> dozen pages open at a time in iCab, using the default allocation of >>> only 3000K! >> >> Dan...temporary memory? There's Ram and there's HD space (VM). Does icab >> have a facility other prgms have not to allot more memory on the fly? > > The relationship between real memory (RAM) and virtual memory is > maintained way-deep in the OS, within the software memory manager. > We're talking about (generic) memory allocation, as in how the OS > gives applications access to blocks of memory (real or virtual; the > application doesn't know and doesn't care). > > The classic Mac OS allocates memory to an application two ways. > > 1. Direct allocation during program launch. This is what you see in > the Get Info window. > > 2. Dynamic temporary allocation off the system heap. > > The latter technique lets a program be sized (1) for "average" > operations. Then, when it needs extra memory - for bigger windows or > whatever - it just asks the OS on the fly for it (2). > > Most applications written for OS 8.6 or later use temporary memory. > > iCab uses temporary memory for just about everything. But some > plug-ins, Flash 4 and 5 especially, don't know about temporary > memory. They operate by grabbing memory from the direct allocation. > > Thoth uses temporary memory a lot! In fact, you can almost totally > kill its performance by increasing it's preferred memory size! > > The Finder uses temporary memory for most operations. > > Some printer drivers steal direct allocation from the Finder -- which > is why their installers often increase the Finder's preferred memory > size then force a reboot. > > - Dan. -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
