oui Firefox normally loads in 0.9 sec. However, unplugging my ethernet cable while the machine is on leads to an extremely slow loading time of exactly 45 sec.
On networking timeouts: In general, we have these (shortest to longest--approx.):
- DNS timeout: ~ 30-60 secs.; Forward or reverse address lookup.
- Connect timeout: ~ 2-3 min; After addr. resolution, initial connection to remote end.
- Xfer timeout: ~ 5-10 min: After connection established; read/ack timeout.
- Keepalive timeout: ~ 1hr: Long running sessions (think SSH) where there is no regular data xfer, you send a keep-alive probe every hour or so.
The short duration makes me think that the startup delay is caused by Firefox (or extensions) waiting on some DNS lookup. (Unplug the cable and try ping -nc1 google.com
. On NetBSD the DNS timeout seems to be ~ 30 secs.) Use about:config
and search for timeout
(esp. network.*
) and change likely-looking values if the delay bothers you.
EDIT: In resolv.conf, see the timeout
and attempts
options.
My Firefox config:
Firefox new install config. (Linux Firefox/85.0b4)
==================================================
In Settings > Preferences
-------------------------
General:
Startup:
1. check: Restore previous session
2. check: Warn you when quitting the browser
3. uncheck: Always check if Firefox is your default browser
Tabs:
1. uncheck: Ctrl+Tab cycles through tabs in recently used order
Fonts and Colours > Advanced:
1. Increase Monospace Font size to 16
Language:
1. uncheck: Check your spelling as you type
Downloads:
1. Save files to: choose: ~/dl/
2. select: Always ask you where to save files
Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content:
1. check: Play DRM-controlled content
Firefox Updates:
Allow Firefox to:
1. select: Check for updates but let you choose to install them
Browsing:
1. uncheck: Everything
Network Settings > Settings:
1. uncheck: Enable DNS over HTTPS
Home:
New Windows and Tabs:
1. Homepage and new windows: choose: Firefox Home (Default)
2. New tabs: choose: Firefox Home (Default)
Firefox Home Content:
1. check: Web Search
2. uncheck: Top Sites
3. uncheck: Visited Pages
4. uncheck: Most Recent Download
5. uncheck: Pages Saved to Pocket
6. uncheck: Highlights
7. uncheck: Snippets
Search:
Search Bar:
1. select: Use the address bar for search and navigation
Default Search Engine:
1. choose: Wikipedia (en)
Search Suggestions:
1. uncheck: Provide search suggestions
Search Shortcuts:
1. uncheck: all except: Wikipedia (en)
2. click and Remove unneeded Search Engines
Privacy & Security:
Enhanced Tracking Protection:
1. select: Custom
2. Cookies: All third-party cookies
3. Tracking content: In all windows
4. check: Cryptominers
5. check: Fingerprinters
Do Not Track:
6. select: Always
Cookies and Site Data:
1. check: Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed
Logins and Passwords:
1. uncheck: Ask to save logins and passwords for web sites
2. uncheck: Show alerts about passwords for breached web sites
3. uncheck: Use a Primary Password
History:
1. select: Use custom settings for history
2. Clear History > Time range to clear: Everything
3. check all boxes in History and Data
4. check: Remember browsing and download history
5. uncheck: Remember search and form history
6. check: Clear history when Firefox closes
7. Settings > check all boxes in History and Data
Address Bar:
1. uncheck: all except Bookmarks
Permissions:
1. All: Block new requests
2. Autoplay: In Settings choose "Block Audio and Video"
3. check: Block pop-up windows
4. check: Warn you when web sites try to install add-ons
Firefox Data Collection and Use:
1. uncheck: Allow Firefox to make personalised extension recommendations
Security:
Deceptive Content and Dangerous Software Protection
1. check all
Certificates:
1. select: Ask you every time
HTTPS-Only Mode:
1. select: Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows
In about:config
---------------
# Disable webspeech
media.webspeech.synth.enabled: false
# Disable pocket
extensions.pocket.enabled: false
See you folks next year!