planetwatt.com
User Zone => General Discussion => Topic started by: leenie on March 09, 2016, 06:15:23 PM
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Every year I install a variety of browsers to compare. This year, it turns out a blink based browser impressed me! It is called SlimJet. Does anyone else do the same?
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I've used Slimjet before and liked it...might have to try it again. I usually have 3 browsers on my system. One for general browsing (chrome or chromium), one for general browsing and online banking/shopping (firefox), and midori for a couple of specific sites.
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Hi Dan,
if you have used Slimjet before, you must try it again. Using the same addons I use on Firefox, it still runs a little lighter.
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Wow...based on Chromium but lighter than Firefox? I just looked at their website, and I think I'll be installing this tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me about SlimJet leenie!
Has anyone tried Vivaldi lately? I did about a year ago (or more). I liked it okay, but there were no plugins for it at the time...though some people said that they were using a couple of plugins from the Chrome store. I could never get any to work. It was also resource hungry. Just wondering how it has come along since then.
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I haven't tried Vivaldi lately. I found it to be resource hungry too. SRWare Iron was in this years test, not newbie friendly to set up, but easier than last time I tried it. Still heavy. Since 32bit Chromium and 32bit Google Chrome are putting up messages about not being supported in Linux and Firefox (with the freshplayer plugin) really taxes my cpu when looking at videos, I decided to look for alternatives. I do hope Slimboat is still going to support 32bit...
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SlimJet does indeed use less RAM than Firefox! WOW!
Thanks again leenie!
That's a good point about whether they'll continue supporting 32bit...I'll look over their site again, and see if there's anything about it. If not, I might try contacting them and ask.
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I joined their forum to ask...
There was already a short thread addressing the future of the 32bit version http://www.slimjet.com/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=736
However, it wasn't answered by a developer, so I did what shouldn't be done...I started a new thread and asked again. :-[ http://www.slimjet.com/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=876
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In reading that short thread it says Slimjet is based on Chromium. I saw on friend's 32bit pc the very same warning in Chromium that displays on Google Chrome. hmmm, I wonder if it is because she has both installed. Time for more research.
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Well, I can only speak from my own experience...
I no longer have Chromium or Chrome on my 32bit computer; however, when I did have Chrome and started receiving the message that it would no longer be supported, I removed Chrome and installed Chromium. I didn't get the message while using Chromium.
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After a small amount of research ....
- Slimjet website has made no comment about potential of their 32-bit source to dry up http://www.slimjet.com/en/about-slimjet.htm
- a quote from Google (who support the Chromium development) about 3 months ago was :
"To provide the best experience for the most-used Linux versions, we will end support for Google Chrome on 32-bit Linux, Ubuntu Precise (12.04), and Debian 7 (wheezy) in early March, 2016. Chrome will continue to function on these platforms but will no longer receive updates and security fixes. We intend to continue supporting the 32-bit build configurations on Linux to support building Chromium. If you are using Precise, we’d recommend that you to upgrade to Trusty", says Dirk Pranke, Software Engineer, Google.
quoted from : http://betanews.com/2015/11/30/google-killing-chrome-for-32-bit-linux/
If you ignore the PR weasel words at the start, the message seems pretty clear - 32-bit Chromium continues. For now ... until Google decides to improve our "experience" again.
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Thanks teejay.
I've received a reply from the Slimjet forum's site administrator...32bit Linux will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future.
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I just tried the latest version of Vivaldi Beta. It needs A LOT of polish before it is ready to use. Not to mention, I'm spoiled and want it my way. You cannot customize this browser the way you're used to. Kind of reminds me of the old, confusing Opera. Yuk (just my opinion). Going to revisit QupZilla next...
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That makes sense considering the man behind Vivaldi is who was originally the developer of Opera. I remember how happy I was when I finally figured out how to change that orange color on Vivaldi. ;D
Speaking of Opera, I've read a couple of articles lately that said Linux users could watch Netflix and Amazon Prime on Opera. Sounded good for 32bit users since Chrome is dropping 32bit. So I installed the latest stable 32bit Opera...neither Netflix or Amazon Prime worked. I then tried the latest Opera Beta build...they didn't work on it either.
Out of curiosity, I tried Xombrero. A very basic browser with security features built in. When it opens, all you see is basically a basic start page with an address bar. I think keyboard shortcuts are used for opening new tabs and such. When I first opened it, it was only using 68 MB of RAM. I thought that was great; however, after about 5 minutes, it was up to almost 500 MB. Might have been because I didn't take the time to learn how to use it properly...
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Xombrero sucks quite a bit in "Normal" mode. If you change it for "Whitelist", it'll teaches any other browser on lightness, energy efficiency and indecent speed.
Ctrl+J handily activates/deactivate JS per site.
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Yeah, Slimjet is my default browser.
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Looks like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video will soon be available on Firefox! I hope 32bit versions are included and that Firefox continues supporting 32bit.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/08/firefox-49-linux-netflix-google-widevine-cdm
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And about time imo. :)
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My 32bit Firefox was just updated to the newest version...tried Amazon Prime, and it's working great! It threw up the same old error, but then I saw a button (to push on the screen) to enable DRM. Clicked the button, and it played perfectly.
Note: I use Firefox that I downloaded from Mozilla...not the one from the repos...so it will be a little while before users receive the new version.
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My 32bit Firefox was just updated to the newest version...tried Amazon Prime, and it's working great! It threw up the same old error, but then I saw a button (to push on the screen) to enable DRM. Clicked the button, and it played perfectly.
Note: I use Firefox that I downloaded from Mozilla...not the one from the repos...so it will be a little while before users receive the new version.
64bit is updated now, and it's working great too!
Firefox to the rescue for 32bit Linux users!
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Hmm, for some reason it's not working for me in Firefox 49, even with user agent override. I see that widevine is installed as a plugin but I still get an "Install Silverlight" message in Netflix.
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Hmm, for some reason it's not working for me in Firefox 49, even with user agent override. I see that widevine is installed as a plugin but I still get an "Install Silverlight" message in Netflix.
You're right! It's doing it to me on Netflix too. Amazon Prime plays with no problem though.
I never watch Netflix...only Amazon Prime...but I thought I'd check it out. I couldn't remember my wife's Netflix account information, so I signed up for the one month free just to check it out.
I wonder why Amazon works but not Netflix? Guess I celebrated too early... >:(
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Bummer! Well, thanks for checking it out. Sorry to make you sign up for Netflix for nothing. lol
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LOL! I've already canceled the membership. ;D
I did read this...
It’s unlikely that Netflix and company will flip the switch for Linux Firefox users right away, so some short-term user-agent switching may be necessary.
However, that didn't help your situation. Perhaps the User Agent takes some type of special configuration? I don't know...
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Firefox 49 released.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/09/download-firefox-49-new-features
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After trying several different User Agent add-ons, I finally got Netflix to play.
Unfortunately, the User Agent that worked (for me) isn't the most user-friendly.
This is the one that worked for me...and it works on both 64bit and 32bit installs...
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/custom-useragent-string/?src=search
After installing it, click its icon on the tool-bar, and click Settings.
In the page that opens, look under "Select Desktop Google Chrome UserAgent String" and scroll down and click the last entry under that heading; which is...
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/46.0.2490.71 Safari/537.36
Now scroll down the page (not the section where you choose the UserAgent), and click the + sign.
That will add the User Agent to the browser.
Don't be deterred if you get an error message or blank screen on Netflix at first. I had to reload the page a couple of times before I was able to watch a video.
Edited to add: While this allowed me to watch Netflix, it's using an outdated version of Chrome in its string; therefore, you will get some warnings on other websites that you're using an old version of Chrome and need to update. So...the one good thing about this particular add-on is that it's easily turned on and off. So...just turn it on to use Netflix and turn it off everywhere else. ;)
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Thanks for the info on Slimjet, using it right now.
I was using Palemoon which is a fork of Firefox. I only used it because it was light and could use a proxy.
Seems slimjet is faster and can use a proxy too!
Double nice, thank you.
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I just installed Opera to try. Checking out the vpn part. http://www.opera.com/blogs/desktop/2016/04/free-vpn-integrated-opera-for-windows-mac/
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I just installed Opera to try. Checking out the vpn part. http://www.opera.com/blogs/desktop/2016/04/free-vpn-integrated-opera-for-windows-mac/
Looks like they've changed it? Seems like I recall that they once offered a free trial version, but you had to pay to continue using it.
I actually really like Opera...it seemed to use a lot of RAM the last time I tried it though.
Do you mind sharing your conclusions leenie?
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So far it uses about as much ram as Firefox using planetwatt's page to compare with one page open in each browser. It is faster than Firefox. There is no home page, (just a startup page) import of bookmarks did not work. I set up my personal settings, block third party cookies, opt out of sending usage stats, and installed Disconnect. I've had many tabs open trying to slow it down or make it crash, it is solid. It has built in ad blocker. The setup is pretty much the same as Chrome, but it has VPN built in. I can't tell if it's working yet. I selected to look like I'm in Canada. I have to say so far that I like it.
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VPN does work! This will be a big deal for those using public wi-fi.
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I had to install flashplayer in Opera for online games: sudo apt-get install adobe-flashplugin.
It installed:
Adobe Flash Player
Version: 23.0.0.162
Shockwave Flash 23.0 r0
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Thanks leenie! I'll give it a spin.
Well, actually, I'll install it and keep it. I'm glad they don't charge for the VPN any more!
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BitMask (www.bitmask.net) is a free VPN software that runs in the background so you can use any browser. It also connects to a server in Canada.
Unfortunately, I think the Opera VPN is just a proxy: https://gist.github.com/spaze/558b7c4cd81afa7c857381254ae7bd10
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BitMask (www.bitmask.net) is a free VPN software that runs in the background so you can use any browser. It also connects to a server in Canada.
Mike, does that only work through (or with) OpenVPN and the Network Manager applet? I'm asking, because I use Wicd for wireless on one machine, and I've never tried a VPN with it.
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@Mike, you are right about proxy. Real free VPNs are usually quite slow. Opera still seems to be a decent browser.
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Palemoon 64bit still seems for me, the best lightweight browser I have used.
SlimJet was OK but the annoying pop-ups and stuff telling me to support them and donate, no, thanks.
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Palemoon 64bit still seems for me, the best lightweight browser I have used.
SlimJet was OK but the annoying pop-ups and stuff telling me to support them and donate, no, thanks.
I haven't tried Palemoon, but I'll definitely check it out. The pop ups on Slimjet are annoying...and almost prompted me to remove it. It took me a little while, but I found where to turn them off in the Settings. Much better experience without them.
Is Palemoon's RAM consumption comparable to Slimjet's?
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Mike, does that only work through (or with) OpenVPN and the Network Manager applet? I'm asking, because I use Wicd for wireless on one machine, and I've never tried a VPN with it.
Absolutely. Network Manager and Wicd are just front-ends to the underlying Linux networking programs and the kernel for managing your hardware. The VPN creates a secure tunnel at that level.
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It uses Qt for the GUI which might put off some people but I found Qupzilla (https://www.qupzilla.com/)to be speedy and a joy to use - it's in the repos. It also uses Webkit which I find to be much faster at rendering (like Chromium and Opera).
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Mike, does that only work through (or with) OpenVPN and the Network Manager applet? I'm asking, because I use Wicd for wireless on one machine, and I've never tried a VPN with it.
Absolutely. Network Manager and Wicd are just front-ends to the underlying Linux networking programs and the kernel for managing your hardware. The VPN creates a secure tunnel at that level.
How can I turn them off? Also, Palemoon is a firefox fork. nice, lightweight and quite known. I use it all the time. I liked slimjet but the pop ups drove me mad. :)
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How can I turn them off? Also, Palemoon is a firefox fork. nice, lightweight and quite known. I use it all the time. I liked slimjet but the pop ups drove me mad. :)
Turn what off, the VPN? Bitmask allows you to turn the VPN on/off easily if you use that program. An icon sits in your tray.
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How can I turn them off? Also, Palemoon is a firefox fork. nice, lightweight and quite known. I use it all the time. I liked slimjet but the pop ups drove me mad. :)
Turn what off, the VPN? Bitmask allows you to turn the VPN on/off easily if you use that program. An icon sits in your tray.
Mike, I may be wrong, but I think bob may have been asking me how to turn off the pop ups on Slimjet. Perhaps it was a misquote of you instead of me?
bob, if that's the case, and you want to disable the pop ups in Slimjet...
1. Click the Settings icon in the upper right-hand corner of the browser.
2. In the menu that pops out, click on Settings.
3. Scroll ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM and remove the checkmark from Show tips at startup
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Yep, sorry. quoted the wrong person. *goes shy*
Thanks, Dan. you're a star. :)
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VPN does work! This will be a big deal for those using public wi-fi.
Sorry leenie to rain on the parade. :(
Opera free VPN does not work .... for me.
It goes off and on, most of the time it looses connection and this means that no website will load until the nasty "free VPN" in Opera manages to catch the connection again.
Unfortunately, Bitmask does not install in WattOS. I use Bitmask in all other distros I am testing ( Sparky, Peppermint 7, LMDE2 and some Linux Mint distros ), there it installs without any problems.
Looks like I'll have to use a non-free VPN as I did before. It worked great and cost me about 5 Dollars per month.
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Unfortunately, Bitmask does not install in WattOS. I use Bitmask in all other distros I am testing ( Sparky, Peppermint 7, LMDE2 and some Linux Mint distros ), there it installs without any problems.
What error messages are you seeing?
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For all Google Chrome users! Read this.
http://thehackernews.com/2017/05/browser-camera-microphone.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheHackersNews+(The+Hackers+News+-+Security+Blog)&_m=3n.009a.1504.jl0ao09wmy.wbq
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Checking out Midori on a Sparky Openbox install. Debian based, testing. The Midori version here are 0.5.11.
So far nothing to report, but are a bit sceptic. Last time I tried Midori it crashed, crashed, and eventually it crashed again! ;D
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I must try Midori again! Previously it always crashed. Thank you.
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No crashing so far, but Midori did not play well, really not at all, with youtube. :-\
But the fox fix`d that! ;D
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New Firefox is out, and so far it has been nothing but a positive exprience. :D
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I just set up a PC with the new Firefox. They have changed the preferences menu. Look very carefully to make the changes you usually make! Still the same good browser.
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Time to go to the Opera. ;)
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Totally agree, right now Opera it's the best browser in all accounts.
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I've been trying to find a browser that works for 32 bit that does not make the cpu fan go nuts. Will check out Opera.
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So far all ok with Opera. I am poitively surprised in fact. :D
I just want an alternative browser to use when Firefox slow down. Which it does sometimes. :|
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This article might be of interest for Opera users. It is a little bit old, but thought it could be of interest anyway.
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2016/04/22/opera-browser-vpn-proxy/
Additonal more recent information anyone? :)
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^ :)
https://www.vpnfan.com/blog/opera-vpn/