SPARCbook Portable Workstation User Guide
13-9
Installing and Using Applications
Memory Usage and Swap Space
you would have no problems. However, if you run a large number of
complex applications you are likely to run out of memory and swap
space.
To minimize your memory and swap usage bear the following points in
mind:
•
Minimize the number of DeskSet tools in use. The tools use
large amounts of memory. For example, if you only use the
Calendar Manager occasionally, call it up from the Workspace
menu when you need it rather than leaving it as an icon on your
workspace.
•
Avoid using tools that use memory continuously or often. For
example, the performance meter tool runs every second.
Similarly, if you enable the second hand on the clock, the clock
program must run every second.
•
Keep your mail in mailfiles if you have more than a few
messages. Each message that appears when you open your mail
file takes memory.
•
Keep tools iconified if you are not using them, but do not want
to quit them. For example, the performance meter and the File
Manager tools are suspended when they are iconified, freeing up
memory (but not swap space) for other processes.
•
Arrange tools on the screen so they do not overlap. This reduces
repainting by the Window Manager.
•
If you are using the multi-browser in the Calendar Manager, quit
it when you are finished rather than iconizing it, it is almost as
quick to restart it from the Calendar Manager as it is to open it
from the icon.
•
Avoid using a background image for the main background, plain
backgrounds use less memory.
•
Avoid using PostScript applications at the same time as
OpenLook applications.
S3UG4_Book Page 9 Friday, August 8, 1997 11:37 am
