Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2021 December 2

= December 2 =

Would webpages load slower if they didn't do those stupid mid-load moves that can fuck click aim?
If browsers that did that had been programmed to be as fast as is possible without showing a jiggle dance then would the average click-to-finishing-drawing-time be any longer? If it could be done without increasing that average time then I'd want that (and without pre-downloading stuff one click away to a buffer in case you click it either, that would obviously cut jiggle dancing but would increase unlimited internet cost or throttling for everyone and waste oil) Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 20:35, 2 December 2021 (UTC)
 * The "jiggle" is partially caused by poor web design. When an image or div or iframe or anything is added to a web page, the developer can (and should) define the size of the object. But, it is easier to skip that part and let the web browser make room for it once it loads. So, fixing that problem won't make a web page load faster. But, there are times that can't be done becasue the developer isn't the one adding the content. A script is run after the page loads to fetch and insert content (almost always advertising) into an existing web page. This is purposely placed where you might tap or click so you accidentally click on the advertisement. Removing those type of ads won't make web pages load faster because the web page loads before the ad is requested. But, it would reduce overall network traffic. If you want a really fast web page load, use a browser that lets you completely turn off all scripts. You can fetch the content of a web page with nothing extra added. However, many web pages will not be functional because they depend on scripting. Another option is a text-only web browser that does not load images at all. Many web pages purposely block test-only web browsers, but some still work. 97.82.165.112 (talk) 02:32, 3 December 2021 (UTC)
 * So I guess an ad blocker would reduce unwanted clicks (though every so often an ad actually is interesting). I wonder how much extra carbon it'd take for everyone to speculatively download behind the scenes so that the final position and pop-ups would often already be there when you've tapped or clicked. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 02:55, 3 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Some experimental plugins and web browser settings have a "stale" setting while the page loads which means that the page isn't shown until it is completely loaded and rendered. But, that won't help the cases where ads are pulled in dynamically by JavaScript after the page loads. There is no "the page is loaded, but there is more dynamic junk to load" flag. Even if there was, they would make the ads wait a second to start loading to bypass it because the primary goal is to make something you want o click appear and then, a second later, place an ad where it used to be so most people accidentally click the ad. I've seen some javascript that watches mouse movement and when you move your mouse near a popular interface item like a search field, it triggers an ad to jump in right there so you click on the ad. The primary goal is to get you to click the ad, however they can do it. 97.82.165.112 (talk) 17:29, 3 December 2021 (UTC)