Safari Debug
Posted 7 months, 2 weeks ago at 12:46 am. 10 comments
I recently stopped using Firefox on my MBP and started using Apple’s latest Safari 3 browser included in Leopard. I was never a very big fan of Safari because I came from a Windows world where Firefox reigned. Plus, I use Firebug essentially daily, for anything from actual web work to just hacking little bits of web pages to work properly.
Safari is much, much faster and also uses significantly less memory than Firefox. However, it certainly would be nice to have some web debug tools built right in to Safari. It turns out that Safari does include debug tools. Traditionally I used Webkit to take advantage of the debug tools Safari had to offer, which is actually the development version of Safari. But, Webkit also has its problems. Luckily, there is a very simply way to get the debug tool from Webkit, in your standard Safari browser!
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDebugMenu 1
Run this in your terminal with Safari not running, startup safari, and then you’ll be able to run the Debug tool in Safari!
Curious as to how you activate the inspector? Just right click anywhere on a web page and then select “Inspect Element”.
I’m also enjoying Safari’s superior speed, it’s great.
Thanks for the hint though — I activated the DebugMenu before, but didn’t use it yet. ;-)
Safari also seems to be superior at rendering pngs ;)
Safari is my homeboy.
I get so fed up with Safari and IE sometimes. I wish there was a law that would pass, saying everyone must use Firefox. Their might be a contributing spot open at our publication if you are interested. Please contact me.
I have been a loyal Safari user for quite some time now (I do use FF at work on my PC though) and I have to say, no matter how many times I try the latest and greatest of X browser, I always go back to Safari for it’s shear speed and integration to the OS. I am also familiar with the debug menu that you speak of which is one of the cool special things you can find.
For Safari to rein above other browsers it need to capture the general publics attention. Microsoft still has a hold on people who don’t care about what browser they use for work, and i don’t think that microsoft is going to let that go.
Safari on the other hand is set on default for all mac users out there, so it has a hold on it’s small audience compared to what microsoft has. If Apple ever gets big enough with it’s computers then it will gain a majority hold compared to microsoft.
Then we still have all the preferential browsers such as firefox online, but that will only be up to the users to make it popular against the computer giants.
Another good tip. I am going to get a MBP in January with the new Penryns and will benefit a lot from this tip. Thanks!
I’m attached to Firefox despite its performance flaws because it keeps its bookmarks in a text (html) file, while Safari uses some obscure format.
Oh man, a javascript console for Safari. I’m in love. Thanks!