Firefox Download Manager Slow and Annoying. Please Fix.

Posted on: August 7, 2008


Firefox Download Manager Slow and Annoying. Please Fix.

On my podcast, I ran through a TechTweak to continue a download if the download is taking a longer time. Little did I know that issue was more Firefox than receiving packets.

When I was beta testing Firefox, I noticed that downloading files took a lot longer and caused the browser to actually run slower. I posted a bug report on Mozilla.org. I mentioned that I downloaded several items via Firefox and IE, and I saw IE not only did a better job in downloading, it did not affect my browsing habits. I also told them I had seen this happen on more than one machine and plugins do not make any difference. They said (in so many words) this was not a big issue and marked the case “Unconfirmed”.

Well, it really is an issue. I download items on a daily basis. I run off not only fast, but slower connections. Any types of pauses inhibit my productivity. When I downloaded Bwana’s podcast, I pretty much had to babysit the download because even with it not pushing forward, it was stopping me from getting other work done.

Today I was working on an article and downloading simultaneously. When I tried to post, I got stopped big time to the point where I lost the article during post. I had the article on another program so I didn’t lose any data, however if I was typing a comment or anything I don’t save first, I could have lost what I typed. All because of a slow loading podcast.

Before the question is posed, this is a completely different machine running only 3 plugins. Once again I stopped the download and switched over to IE to obtain. IE’s download manager runs separate from the browser, and it didn’t cause any issues.

How much do you download content from the Web?

  • A lot of content (50%, 1 Votes)
  • I download, but I use other means (torrents, services) (50%, 1 Votes)
  • I download moderately (0%, 0 Votes)
  • I rarely download content (0%, 0 Votes)
  • I never download anything. (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 2

Loading ... Loading …

I’ve also tried some of the download plugins. They mostly change the appearance of the download manager. I may not have found the right plugin, nonetheless I haven’t found one that actually helps.

Back in 2006, Bill St. Clair noted a slow experience. He found a solution by removing files automatically when done. I have cleared out the data, and even cleaned the cache. There is no difference - Firefox does not do a good job in downloading data. It’s been a issue for a while and well before Firefox 3 came out.

What needs to change?

Firefox should give users the opportunity to chose how they can download files. Use their download manager, IE’s manager or another “Approved” manager.

Maybe it’s how the Manager works. If it works off the Firefox engine, then maybe Mozilla should work on a seperate program to download files.

However it works, it needs to be looked at. I will be posting another Bug report to Mozilla. In the meantime I’ll just have to switch between programs to download files.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 and is filed under The Focus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Ramblings - 8-23-08 - Interview on Quickcast this Week

At the beginning of the month I was concerned I wasn’t going to make the numbers I made in July. I had one story get a mini Digg and that gave some great stats for the day. The end result was a high monthly visit rate. So that made August the concern - after all, can I do something that can be that powerful?

Well, maybe there is.

I went to look at the stats for this month, and I found they are ready to match the July numbers and possibly surpass. Now there are 8 days left, but I can be optimistic, right?

The key is to put out an article that either no one else talks about or is just that prolific that people need to read on. But there is a third key.

Promotion, promotion, promotion.

I am going to do the first Geekazine interview on monday to post on Wed. I am very excited about this because we’ll have a great contest to run along with the interview. For those of you who are reading, I will give you a hint: You will have to post a comment to be eligable.

The LIVE Show was awesome once again. Every week we get someone new in the show to talk about stuff and it’s pretty cool. I enjoy meeting new people from all over. I have to admit I was thinking of taking a few weeks off until the weather changed, but after last monday, we are going to continue this great event.

We changed the name of the 5 minute show to the Geekazine Quickcast. We still have the same schedule - Mondays is “This week in tech history”, Tuesdays is “Get Certified” and Thursdays is “1 topic 5 minutes”. Wed will be the special interview.

On the home front, I’ve been doing a ton of playing. Since we’re coming up to the last couple weeks of summer here in Wisconsin, eveybody wants to get out and play. THe weather has been very cooperative which is great. We had an awesome show on Sunday and I expect to continue that tonight.

Last night I ran sound for 2 bands and a burlesque show. Basically, hit play on the CD player and adjust the mic (if needed). Of course the 2 bands gave me enough work to do, to. It’s nice to work off a good Allen and Heath board.

Anyway, it’s time to wrap up as I have to head south to a place called FINS in Edgerton. Great restaraunt and bar - the weather looks good enough to where we will be playing outside. Sweet.

Remember the Quickcast on Monday and Live show Monday evening at 7 PM.

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