More on Browsers – now with JavaScript wrinkles

I’ve been pondering my browser usage lately, especially as it may (or may not) relate to excess CPU and Memory usage that seems to crop up over time. [some back-story]

One thing that’s really starting to bubble up is how much my favorite sites rely on JavaScript. And how long those sites sit in a tab all day.

For instance, I tried a quick experiment and moved a few modules off my customized Google homepage and browser memory usage dropped. Obvious in retrospect, but now I’m looking harder at the gadgets on my Google and Netvibes home pages. One of those is open in a tab at all times.

Even in a tiny memory leak will get amplified over time. And perhaps this is somehow related to the CPU getting pegged as well. Maybe?

Meebo is another example of a site that sits in a browser tab all day. Now, the main reason I fell in love with meebo was the simplicity of hitting a website and having all my IM ready to go. No need to install anything or remember contact info. Logs stored server-side are priceless as well. But maybe I’m going to reconsider using it full time. My little Meebo Desktop app doesn’t really mitigate this as it relies on the browser to do its thing.

Why do I like centralized or server-side chat logs? When the logs are on your PC, and you use multiple PCs, it can be a major pain to try and find record of conversations.

Google Talk logs are effectively server side. With GTalk, I can run it as a module from the Google home page, via the Gmail page or as a download. Nice flexibility there and everything is logged centrally.

But I’m not sure how best to handle all the folks at work on Messenger. I don’t like the Messenger client. Should I go back to Gaim (oops, now known as Pidgin), Trillian or Miranda? But dangit, then I’m back to having logs on a bunch of different machines.

Hrmm… I suppose I could run one of those off of a USB key, but that has some challenges as well.

Something to ponder though. And yes, this is a rather meandering post — more of a brain dump, really!

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