[pm-h] discussion RE benefit of new CPU and more memory

[Russell L. Harris]

This is a follow-up to the discussion at the May meeting regarding the
benefits and economics of a faster CPU and larger memory complement in
speeding up an old desktop machine (mine) running Debian Linux.

It turns out that the simple, no-cost solution was to cease using
FireFox (aka IceWeasel).

A bit of investigation using the Linux utility "top" revealed FireFox
to be the obvious culprit.  Then, a posting to the Debian-users list
revealed that many people are scratching their heads over the problem
of systems in which the system appears to run ever slower, and that
FireFox appears to be the common denominator.

The solution was to reboot the system (simply stopping all instances
of FireFox was not sufficient) and running another browser.  I have
switched to the default browser for Debian, which is Epiphany (aka
Gnome Web Browser 2.14.3). The result is a drastic improvement in
system response and processing speed.  Problem solved!

RLH