Why, when there are so many graphics, scripting, and all the extra multimedia stuff? That’s why.
I’ve tested this off and on for several years. When I visit my favorite sites with Lynx or Elinks, I find more actual information, and find it much more quickly, than if I browse with Firefox or Opera. Even Dillo can be a bit much at times.
To some degree, it really depends on the user. If you are visually oriented, you might find it a bit boring. However, not long ago researchers discovered a subset of those who learn visually, and it’s those who learn textually. I’m not sure if that applies to me, or if I’m simply old enough, and was poor enough as a child, to have developed little taste for TV and movies. Actually, I hate them. Then again, whatever is actually behind the popular diagnosis of ADD/ADHD afflicts me as well.
Sure, I do use my scripts to download copies of videos which someone convinces me I simply must see. I think it’s sad that some of the very best information is no longer coming out in text, but video only. (I have no interest in entertainment films.) Perhaps one time in ten, the advice is correct, and I have kept a few of those videos. Otherwise, Firefox is used only for blogging and a precious few sites where it’s really the best way to interact.
For just news reading and such, Lynx is my favorite. I save a lot of heartache by opening an Xterm window the default width of 80 characters, and stretch it downward a ways. A few sites are slightly better with Elinks, with a wider Xterm window. It takes far less time if I don’t get myself distracted by images, ads, marquees, and other annoyances which hinder reading and information gathering.
I have lots of computer horsepower, a huge LCD monitor, but I just don’t care for graphical browsing. Give it a try.
