First off, my computer:

iBook G4 1.2 GHz
768 MB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 32 MB VRAM (rglow/shader capable, in other words)
Mac OS X 10.4.3
Darwin 8.3.0

config.ini stuffs:
[refgl]
illummap=1
envmap=1
bumpmap=1
tc=0
minfilter=9987
maxfilter=9729
specular=1
windowmode=1
textureresolution=2
texturequality=32
gamma=8
def_freq=0
tfactor_hack=0
doshaders=1
dovertexbuffers=1
doindexbuffers=1
do_compiled_vertex_array=1
do_env_combine=1
do_extensions=1
vbl=0

Now, the problem itself...

I'll have the full scene glow effect (rglow) on, and randomly when warping in or out of a sector the game just dies. Literally freezes so hard that I can't quit to the desktop. I have to shut down the computer and restart.

Tonight it occurred when a large convoy flew through the Odia -> Sedina wormhole while I was looking in that direction. I looked at my error logs, but didn't see anything, so I don't know what's causing it...

Any idea?

If I had to guess, I'd say that shaders/rglow pushes your machine too hard. I've got a Powerbook with similar specs (1.3 GHz, GeForce 5200 64MB) and rglow really overworks that card, drives framerates down to single digits in busy sectors/roid fields etc.

It's possible that the video card is overheating and crashing the machine, I've had desktops do that when the GPU got too hot.

The overheating would explain the seemingly random timing. Changing modes (jumping, leaving a station interface, etc.) is often what pushes marginal video card function over the edge. I'd try lowering some of the settings and maybe getting a little airflow around that thing.

One thing to consider: Some of the iBook batteries were recalled this year due to overheating. You might want to look into that. Try running the machine from AC without a battery installed. Even good batteries give off some heat, and the loss of that plus a little less thermal mass might help.

I'll try removing the battery first--the graphics settings are already (if you turn off shaders) as low as I can take them before I say "ew, that's CRAP".