On 2019-02-25 08:09, Dirk Munk wrote:
However, there's also a memory cache in RAM, and the size of that cache can only be changed by tweaking the configuration file. I've noticed that increasing the memory cache can certainly increase the speed of Seamonkey, and can also avoid freezing problems etc.
OK, I'll take the Devil's Advocate position against you :-) And since you stated your qualifications, I'll mention that I have a degree in computer science and about 30 years of experience as a professional nerd, so you and I both have a good technical understanding to work from.
Yes, increasing SeaMonkey's memory cache can improve performance - but it can also hurt system performance. Most people run multiple programs at once, and if you set SeaMonkey to use lots of RAM, that means less RAM is available for other programs before the operating system has to start swapping, and as you know, once you start swapping, performance falls dramatically. Even if your swap device is an SSD, it's still orders of magnitude slower than RAM.
And sure, a 64-bit program has a massive virtual address space, and a 64-bit operating system can access a lot of physical RAM, but I suspect most average users' PCs only have 4-8 GB of RAM.
You and I have the technical background to understand that. The average user doesn't. Making this setting something that's exposed in the normal preferences menu rather than burying it in about:config invites users who don't have a technical background to make a bad choice. So I think it's best left as is. Users with technical skills can already easily change it (as you and I have both done). Users without technical skills should not change it.
-Steve _______________________________________________ support-seamonkey mailing list [email protected] https://lists.mozilla.org/listinfo/support-seamonkey
