Overview Features Coding ApolloOS Performance Forum Downloads Products Order Contact

Welcome to the Apollo Forum

This forum is for people interested in the APOLLO CPU.
Please read the forum usage manual.
Please visit our Apollo-Discord Server for support.



All TopicsNewsPerformanceGamesDemosApolloVampireAROSWorkbenchATARIReleases
Questions and Answers for AMIGA Workbench or Coffin

Ibrowse 2.5.2 Compared to Netsurf

Mr Niding

Posts 459
29 Feb 2020 02:31


So, I got a comment on MIRC regarding these 2 running on V4, and it seems like Ibrowse is the better performer at the moment.

And I assume Arti is busy with alot of other stuff beyond Netsurf :)

So Im curious what people think/know regarding the functionality, and what they predict with regard to usability lets say year(s) ahead?

I know the mainstream browser expirience leaves the Amiga browser in the dust, and for example mail providers is problematic etc.

I like to support active Amiga development, espesially when it comes to "productivity" software.
Most of todays new developments seems to be games, which I understand, but personally I use computers mostly for wordprocessing and spreadsheet.


ExiE CZEX

Posts 48
29 Feb 2020 23:45


You can't compare these two browsers. Netsurf supports CSS 2.1, IBrowse is plain HTML4.
So IBrowse is fast but almost unusable.



Olaf Schoenweiss

Posts 690
01 Mar 2020 08:46


speedwise IBrowse and Aweb are of course better. Netsurf is a port from Linux. On the other hand Netsurf is more modern


Ian Parsons

Posts 230
01 Mar 2020 14:08


I think Netsurf origins are actually on RISC OS.

IBrowse as far as I know was written from the ground up for the Amiga so is optimised for the Amiga hardware. Ports from other hardware and operating systems often lack the level of optimisation of a ground up native version. Also Netsurf has more modern features so is doing a lot more under the hood.


Vojin Vidanovic
(Needs Verification)
Posts 1916/ 1
01 Mar 2020 15:46


Mr Niding wrote:

  So, I got a comment on MIRC regarding these 2 running on V4, and it seems like Ibrowse is the better performer at the moment.
 

 
  Really? As pointed out, Ibrowse is both paid and supports less web standards.
 
  To get the idea, see EXTERNAL LINK   
  Showcases:
 
  1) AW.net Amiga forum with a bit of censorship
  2) Mobile Facebook - Spyware social net/media
  3) Google - Search engine with ads
 
  Artis ports are GUI dirty and slow, but straightforward.
  Thanks to him, we have latest 3.10dev port, exactly same latest beta as on Windows version of Netsurf
 
  Clearly, his port needs a MUI GUI or Reaction rework, to have look and feel similar to loved Ibrowse (In my case, Voyager)
 
  P.S.
  there is quite older Netsurf 3.6 with GUI.Try that for better comparison
  EXTERNAL LINK   
  Would love to see Vivaldi ported, but that would need Chrome engine ported first.

Ian Parsons wrote:

I think Netsurf origins are actually on RISC OS.
 
  IBrowse as far as I know was written from the ground up for the Amiga so is optimised for the Amiga hardware. Ports from other hardware and operating systems often lack the level of optimisation of a ground up native version. Also Netsurf has more modern features so is doing a lot more under the hood.

Yes,its most advanced RiscOS browser,that has Linux,Win,AmigaOS ... ports. Even FreeMINT one in MINT GUI.

While above statement of yours is generally true,
Artis port of Netsurf 3.10 is only one to use AMMX datatypes.
Something not announced for Ibrowse 3.x


Mr Niding

Posts 459
02 Mar 2020 03:33


@Vojin

When I say better performer, I mean the sites it actually works with, which are probarbly fewer than Netsurf.

So I guess I should have said "faster on the working sites/pages".


Gunnar von Boehn
(Apollo Team Member)
Posts 6207
02 Mar 2020 07:46


The Browser topic is important as web browsers are today maybe the most used tools.

While there are 3 native AMIGA web browser (AWEB/IBrowse/Voyager) all of them are for behind todays web standards.
They all are on a level of "Netscape 4" - and all are hopelessly outdated compared to Firefox.

This means you can with any of the 3 native Amiga web browsers only use a minimal number of websites.

Netsurf is a little better in compatibility in some areas but its also far behind Firefox.

Maybe everyone needs to review what is the most important for him?
For me most important is that a web browser
a) Renders most websites well, and allows me to read online news, use search engines, use youtube, you webmail.
b) Is reasonable fast, so that daily tasks like reading news, or using webmail works fine.

Whether the GUI elements are using behind the curtains BOOBSI,MUI, or banana-milkshakes as drawing routines - as relative less important to me.

Regarding NETSURF I think that Arthur did excellent work with the current port. I believe the port could be tuned even more.
If we consider how much DIABLO was tuned by the team of Arthur,Sam and Marlon - as it got several times faster.

With this in mind I think we could assume that if the same effort would be done for Netsurf it could also be speed up much more.

If you think this makes sense then maybe we should discuss if the community like to support this effort?

Maybe some bounty for Artur, Sam, etc would help make this tunning effort happen?



Ray Couzens

Posts 93
02 Mar 2020 09:40


@Gunnar, I think your idea of discussing the support of Netsurf is a good one.  This way, it could be determined what the Amiga/Apollo community want.

If we consider the fact that people wanted a new Amiga machine, the Vampire of course, and were willing to back the project, then, now that we have the good hardware, supporting the software seems logical. 

For me, having a browser on my Amiga is more of a bonus than a requirement.  I never had this in the 80's on my Amiga500, so when I get my V4 Standalone, will no doubt enjoy trying it out.  I may find that I want to surf more on the V4 and therefore, willing to pay for an improved browser.

At the moment, the big thrill for me will be having an Amiga I could only dream of in the 80's.


Kriz Antikriz

Posts 27
02 Mar 2020 21:51


Now with the new Ibrowse and its new SSL version, a lot of sites are usable again, Like Faceebook/Twitter and so on.. Without CSS it looks a bit strange, but it works again.. Video review here: EXTERNAL LINK
 
  Now would he only lower the price, 55Euro is too much for most people for such a old software ... He do not agree in making it cheaper even if people say it will bring in more sales (check this thread: EXTERNAL LINK )


Vojin Vidanovic
(Needs Verification)
Posts 1916/ 1
05 Mar 2020 11:04


I am glad Ibrowse got improved, but I can find better Amiga sw for 55 eur.

Netsurf 4.10dev+ MUI deserves a bounty or support

posts 10