The cache folder stores the contents of web pages you have visited,
making it easier and faster to access recently visited pages again.
The amount of information stored in the cache is set in the "Network
Preferences" which is found in the Options menu (in Netscape 2.0).
There is a setting in that dialog box that allow you to set the amount
of hard drive space that the cache takes up. As you surf, the cache
stores images and text until you reach that preset amount of memory and
then begins removing the oldest items. You may occasionally see
"Removing xx items from the cache" appear at the bottom of your Netscape
window as you surf.
The higher you set the cache space, the more information that is stored.
If you set it to 0, then nothing is cached, the cache folder remains
clear, but this may slow down your surfing since every item on a web
page must be downloaded every time you go to that page. This can be
significant if you are jumping back and forth between pages.
You can clear the cache completely any time by clicking on the "Clear
Cache Now" button on in the "Network Preferences" item in the Options
menu.
One more important thing about the cache. If your computer crashes or
freezes while you are surfing, then Netscape does not have the chance to
clean up its act before closing down. It will not pick up on the added
items when you restart Netscape. This can lead to HUGE cache folders
taking up megabytes of space. One friend of mine had over 900 items in
that folder! If you crash, clear the cache before surfing again.
Otherwise, you will slow to a crawl on the Web.
Cathy Colbert
ccolbert@lightspeed.net