I figure the speeds and all are slower because you haven't configured your LW for optimum performance.
As for the crashes, do you have the latest Java? run a software update and check it out.
I, for one, find the new version (well, actually 4.0.5) quite good and I still get the most of it with my dlds reaching top speed (I'm not bragging, just telling you that your slow speeds might just be a matter of configuration)

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iMac G4 OSX 10.3.9
RAM 256MB
LW 4.10.5 Basic
ADSL anything from 3 to 8Mbps/around 1024kbps

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