[SATLUG] how can linux load webpages faster?

[John Pappas]

On Thu, 2006-06-22 at 19:02 -0700, Chris wrote:
> I have a computer with a 56k dial up external fax modem made by usrobotics.
>  I am not sure about the model number because it was rubbed off of the modem. 
> The modem works fine under Windows xp, but in Linux, the Internet speed is super slow. 
> I talked to someone about this, and he said, "Get a driver." 
> I am not sure if usrobitcs supports Linux for all of the modems, and I'm not sure 
> if there is anything I can do because the model number can't be read on the modem. 
> I think most of the modems do not need separate drivers, so they aren't being made. 
> Also, I was not sure what some of the settings should be for the modem. 
> What should the speed in numbers be set to? I could also try getting the win-modem to work.
>  I am not sure if that would be faster. It seemed impossible the last time I tried. 
> Are there any suggestions to get dial up working faster? It's about 30 seconds to load some web pages.

External modems are seen by linux as serial devices.  Almost always an
external modem has a controller (not win/soft modem)  

It it usb or serial?
What software are you using to dial up?
Is compression set?  

You could test bandwidth with a bandwidth meter to empirically determine
if there is actually a throughput difference between OS's, rather than a
perceived rendering speed difference.

Firefox is not optimized for dialup by default. See:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=135522
http://codebetter.com/blogs/darrell.norton/archive/2005/01/28/48720.aspx

Also, the FasterFox browser extension has controls for many of the
'about:config' settings.  It also does some prefetching to maintain high
B/W use (Configurable option).
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1269/

Hope that helps!
John