Netscape geometry

[Harry Putnam <reader newsguy com>]

How does one set the geometry that netscape opens in?

$ netscape --help 2>&1 |grep  geom
       -geometry =WxH+X+Y        to position and size the window.
       -dont-save-geometry-prefs Don't save window geometry for session.
       -ignore-geometry-prefs    Ignore saved window geometry for session.

None of this seems to have any bearing on what size netscape opens in.

First off the -geometry flag has syntax unlike any I've seen.
  -geometry =160x40
I've never seen that equal sign following a space.
Thinking it might be a typo I tried
        netscape -geometry 160x40

And various other assemblies, including with the unusual space=.  None
had the slightest effect.

Trying:
 netscape -ignore-geometry-prefs -geometry =130x40 &
No effect at all.

In ~/.Xdefautls 
Netscape.geometry: 130x40
No effect what ever.

Netscape*geometry: 130x40
This at least has an effect.  Netscape opens in a tiny non-viewable
screen regardless of numbers used.

What am I missing here?  Why don't these flags have any effect? 

I can just resize the window when it opens but even that can be a
problem.  If running java script its liable to cause a full
crash. When I resize, it alway causes uncommon looking creepy crawly
stuff to happen.  Then settles down.  

On some pages and alway when configing my firewall thru the obnoxious
java scripting interface, resizing will cause a full crash.  (running
gnome/sawfish)

In fact app  windows seem to behave differently when resized compared
to 7.0 install, lots of bizarre commotion as the resizing tries to
catch up.

Xterms can have the command line become useless if resized a few times,
if you happen to be using some lengthy commands.