Netsurf 68k

[Gulliver]

@Fab
In the end, do you think there is no solution for 68k users regarding semi-modern web browsing? I mean no half decent browser port can be made? Or is it that it just requires too much effort from a devs point of view to tweak and modify code to make it usable?

[Fab]

@Fab
In the end, do you think there is no solution for 68k users regarding semi-modern web browsing? I mean no half decent browser port can be made? Or is it that it just requires too much effort from a devs point of view to tweak and modify code to make it usable?

Well, for UAE users, an OWB port issued from MorphOS version (for instance) could make sense and would surely be relatively usable (assuming the port is done correctly), but it's a bit sad to target only UAE users, IMO.

For original Amigas, maybe netsurf is a better option, but the current port is definitely too slow. But if it's fast enough on RiscOS machines, it must just be an issue with the current port.

[Karlos]

@Fab
In the end, do you think there is no solution for 68k users regarding semi-modern web browsing? I mean no half decent browser port can be made? Or is it that it just requires too much effort from a devs point of view to tweak and modify code to make it usable?

The problem is, end users are completely underestimating the complexity involved in implementing a "modern" browser. The standards set by the W3C for conformity do not, even in the most token sense imaginable, consider the computational and memory requirements of implementing their specification.

I'm not saying it would be impossible to write a browser for 68K that is both compliant and usable on a real 68K machine, however, it is something that would have to be written ground up with the limitations of the hardware in mind. No small task, even for a team of highly committed developers.

[radzik]

But we are talking about port Netsurf for 68k, without SDL, GUI by MUI or maybe Reacton? I think this is not the same as write it from scratch.
Modern browser is something like OWB for OS4.

[Fab]

But we are talking about port Netsurf for 68k, without SDL, GUI by MUI or maybe Reacton? I think this is not the same as write it from scratch.
Modern browser is something like OWB for OS4.

Depends what you mean by modern. Ibrowse UI is way more modern than OWB for OS4.

[slaapliedje]

I could never get netsurf do anything on my real Amiga except lock it up.

It was really fast under UAE though.

The question is, would it be easier / faster to port Netsurf so that it doesn't use SDL, uses MUI and works fast.  Or would it be easier / faster to update AWeb (which is open source, I believe...)

It's a damn shame that IBrowse is no longer being developed.  I don't even know of a way to get a key for it.

I generally just use AWeb as it is now.  It works well enough for fetching things from Aminet, but isn't terribly easy on the eyes when trying to browse the web.

slaapliedje

[TheGoose]

Dear Santa,

I write on behalf of a rag-tag, out-of-date, out-of-touch bunch of technologists who live on the edges of society. Let's just call them the "A" Team. For 2010 Christmas, all they ask is a capable web browser they can run on their 1990s era home computer. They reckon it should:

1. be open source, extensible and there by be somewhat future proof
2. be CSS 2.0 compliant
3. be HTML 4+ adherent; maybe HTML 5 doable, if you have enough magic dust laying around.
4. SSL capable so they can shop and buy stuff for their kids.
5. Should work on all 68030 w/FPU Commodore Amiga computers with 128MB RAM running AOS 3.1.  

Thanks a bunch,

The Goose

PS There's some St. Pauli Girl in the fridge I don't like, feel free to take that.

[utri007]

Netsurf is our ONLY possible/realistic solution to get semi modern browser for 68k amigas, wich is fast and works quite low spec amigas.

Aweb would be hard, it would need quite much work, new html/css engine writen from scrats...

[guest6931]

FAB: I would happily donate money to have you port OWB to UAE. I'm sure many would.

What type of money would be required for you to consider this type of project?

[Fab]

FAB: I would happily donate money to have you port OWB to UAE. I'm sure many would.

What type of money would be required for you to consider this type of project?

It's not about money, but motivation. Anyway, if the guy who currently tries to port OWB MorphOS to OS4 succeeds, then the OS3 port shouldn't be very hard, since OS4 and OS3 are basically the same, MUI-wise.

[utri007]

Is netsurf for OS4 SDL based, or is it reaction/mui? OWB is and will be useless for real amigas

[Louis Dias]

Netsurf is our ONLY possible/realistic solution to get semi modern browser for 68k amigas, wich is fast and works quite low spec amigas.

Aweb would be hard, it would need quite much work, new html/css engine writen from scrats...

AWeb:
http://www.greyhound-data.com/gunnar/aweb/index.htm?page=downloads

[utri007]

That is not a official aweb support page, official page is gone for long time ago. Developer files and lates sources are allso gone???

We have such a tiny community that OWB port for UEA use wouldn't be good thing, it woun't benefit real amiga users.

[RMK305]

Maybe it's just me, but I personally don't see the point in a browser designed specifically for UEA use. If I'm using a PC that runs an Amiga emulator I'd use a browser that runs directly from that machines OS, and not through the emulation of another OS.

[Louis Dias]

That is not a official aweb support page, official page is gone for long time ago. Developer files and lates sources are allso gone???

We have such a tiny community that OWB port for UEA use wouldn't be good thing, it woun't benefit real amiga users.

You can as Gunnar for the source.   I think he updated the Javascipt engine.  It's the newest version I know of...

[amigadave]

That is not a official aweb support page, official page is gone for long time ago. Developer files and lates sources are allso gone???

We have such a tiny community that OWB port for UEA use wouldn't be good thing, it woun't benefit real amiga users.

It wouldn't hurt Classic 68k Amiga users if a port of OWB were ported to UAE.  UAE is nothing without AmigaOS1.x to 3.x running on top of it, so porting OWB for use on AmigaOS1.x to 3.x when run on top of UAE "might" benefit users of Classic 68k Amigas, if they have an fast 68060 & RTG graphics card.

But I agree that anyone running UAE to run AmigaOS would be better off just switching to the host OS and using what ever modern browser they have for that host OS to do their browsing and downloading of files, then transfer them into the UAE Amiga emulated OS for use.