Big Book of Apple Hacks

Chapter 2. Hacks for the Net

For many people the concept of a personal computer and the Internet are so closely intertwined as to be indistinguishable. “I’m going to get on the computer” is largely equivalent to “I’m going to be browsing the Internet.”

Since the Internet is an integral part of using a Mac (or any computer) for most of us, hacks, tips, and tricks to enhance the experience are only natural. In this chapter, ways to get more from your browsers, get data off the Web into your computer, use a computer to host your own web site and even going completely browser-independent are discussed. There’s a lot of fun to be had hacking your way through Mac OS X’s net applications.

HACK 07: Change Your Browser

Every Mac ships with a copy of Safari but don’t feel compelled to use the Apple-supplied solution. There are other browsers offering features Safari doesn’t. Discover other browser options and learn what these alternatives can do for you.

Apple ships its zippy Safari with a strong suite of features that integrate well with other applications, but it isn’t the only game for browsing the Web with a Mac. Firefox’s selling point is its strong community and plethora of add-ons. Opera is unique, and Shiira offers Safari-rendering speeds with added extensibility. Of course, no good Mac browser would be complete without a few hacks that can bend it to a user’s desire, so I’m going to show ...