1. Empty browser caches, which are directories that the browser uses to retain copies of previously visited web pages.
Good to know: When these caches become very large, they can consume considerable space on a Hard Disk Drive and in some cases slow down computer operation, including the display of web pages.
To clear your cache:
1. On the Internet Explorer 6 'Tools' menu, click 'Internet Options'. The Internet Options box should open to the 'General' tab.
2. On the 'General' tab, in the 'Temporary Internet Files' section, click the 'Delete Files' button. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.
3. Click 'OK', and then click 'OK' again.
2. Use a fast web browser. There are large differences in the speeds at which browsers render web pages. The fastest is said to be Opera, followed closely by Firefox.
www.opera.com - Free Opera internet browser
www.mozilla.com – Free Firefox internet browser
Good to know: The newest versions of these browsers are generally the fastest. Reasons for their high speeds include improvements in coding and in how previously visited pages are stored in the browser cache. Opera and Firefox can be downloaded from the Internet at no cost and are available for use with most major operating systems.
3. Make certain that the maximum speed setting for your modem is as high as the modem allows in order to obtain maximum modem speed. This setting can be easily confirmed using the utility that is used to dial the modem.
Good to know: Most modern operating systems usually take care of this automatically. However, some older systems have a default setting that is slower than the current 56Kbps dial-up modem maximum.
4. Avoid unnecessary browser plug-ins. One convenient way to disable a plug-in is to locate its file or directory and then make a slight change to the name of that file or directory, such as adding the letter x to the start or end of it; then, if you would like to reactivate that plug-in at a later date, all that is necessary is to restore the original name.
Good to know: Plug-ins can increase web page rendering time (the time is takes to view a page) because they allow additional data to be downloaded for many pages, in less time.
5. Turn off pop-up windows.
Good to know: Pop-up windows are unrequested windows, which are usually used for advertisements. They consume bandwidth and can slow down the rendering of desired pages by browsers. They are also a nuisance because the user has to click them to close them. The ability to turn off pop-up windows is a major feature of advanced browsers such as Firefox and Opera.
If you are using Internet Explorer:
Temporary solution: Hold the Control key whenever you click a link to a new section.
Permanent solution: Go to the following menu item within Internet Explorer: Tools > Pop-Up Blocker
6. Turn off web page images. With the Firefox browser, for example, this is accomplished by clicking on the Edit menu to open the Preferences panel, clicking on the Web Features icon and then removing the check mark from the Load Images check box. Finally, click the OK button at the bottom of the panel.
Good to know: This is probably not desirable for most people, but for those who are interested solely in text, it can speed up the rendering of pages considerably, particularly those which contain numerous advertisements or other images.
For more tips, please visit: http://www.linfo.org/faster_dial-up.html
For more advanced users:
Speeding up Windows
Faster Dialing
• Double-click the ‘Modem’ icon in the ‘Control Panel’;
• Click on the ‘Properties’ button;
• Select the ‘Connection’ tab;
• Click on the ‘Advance...’ button;
• On the ‘Extra Settings’ text box, type ‘S11=50’ (That will speed up the dial tone from 100 milliseconds (the default) to 50 milliseconds).
Speedier Connection
• You might notice that sometimes, you are already connected but ‘Dial-up Networking’ is still toiling around saying you are "Connecting to Network". The culprit is the Dial-up networking itself;
• To solve this, right-click your ‘ISP connection’ and select ‘Properties’;
• Click on the ‘Server Types’ tab;
• Uncheck ‘Log on to Network, NetBEUI & IPX/SPX Compatible’.
For more tips, please visit: http://activewin.com/tips/speed_tips_5.shtml
Definitions:
Caches: Small, fast memory close to the CPU that can hold a part of the data or instructions to be processed.
Render: The processing a computer undertakes when creating an applied effect, transition or composite.
Plug-ins: A hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system
Pop-up windows: Windows that are opened using JavaScript (scripting language)
**Please note that content on this page is provided purely for information purposes. OTF may not be held liable for any damage or loss arising from the access to, consultation or use of the information. References to internet browser companies are not an endorsement, but provided for your information only.