A Few Tricks for Getting the Most from the Safari (3) Web Browser [Mac Tip]

By Franklin Davis on Mar 11, 2008 filed under Apple, Tips | Comments

safari logo I recently gave up on Firefox 2 in lieu of Leopard because of stability and memory issues. Safari 3 was a huge leap forward from Safari 2 so I decided to give it a try. Overall, I’ve found that I’m enjoying using Safari as my main browser. The only part of Firefox that I miss is the wealth of available add-ons. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have found that make my Safari experience better.

Safari Tricks

Right (cmd) click on the title bar

I accidentally found this feature while attempting to right click to customize the Safari toolbar. By right clicking (cmd-click) on the Safari title bar you can navigate within the hierarchy of a webpage (see below).

Show Statusbar

The very first thing that I modified when I switched from Firefox to Safari was to turn on the status bar. This is essential as it allows you to preview a link’s target before clicking on it. Clicking on links without knowing where I will be taken has always scared me.

Enable Web Inspector

One of my favorite Firefox add-ons was Firebug. This add-on allowed you to view the html and css style sheets of any page. Recently I happened upon a tip to achieve something similar in Safari. It is called the Web Inspector. To enable the Web Inspector you will ned to open up a terminal and enter the following command.

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true

After relaunching Safari you should be able to right click on a web page and select ‘Inspect Element’ from the contextual menu (see below). So far I’m impressed with Web Inspector; however, it doesn’t replace Firebug in my book.

Drag an existing tab to create a new window (or vice-versa)

You can create a new Safari window by dragging an existing tab out of the tab bar (see below). You can also do the inverse (merge a new window into a tab in an existing window). Pretty cool, huh? I have to admit that I rarely use this feature, and it seems more like eye candy than a useful trick.

Install Google Gears

A Firefox Internet Explorer, and (now) Safari extension that allows usage of compatible websites (such as Google Reader, Gmail, WordPress, etc) offline and synchronize when going back online.
gears
[Download Google Gears]

Install Foxmarks

Foxmarks is a free add-on for your browser that syncs and backs up your bookmarks across multiple computers and more.

[Install Foxmarks]

Other Tips

Using del.icio.us with Safari

I use del.icio.us heavily and migrating to Safari from Firefox would have been impossible without some sort of ability to use deli.cio.us. Luckily I found browser independent bookmarklets that work ‘well enough’ here.

StumbleUpon Demo

I really wish StumbleUpon would release a plugin for Safari, until they do, the demo mode will have to do.

Mashable’s List

Also be sure to checkout Mashable’s List of Top 10 Safari Plugins for additional Safari enhancements.

Reader Suggestions

Know of a good Safari trick that I have overlooked? Leave me a comment and I will add your suggestion to the list.

From Gabe: command-click on a link to have it open in a new tab within the existing window.

What Now?

Viewing 5 Comments

GanjaManja 6 days ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

How do you merge a window into an existing tab-bar? It's one of my favourite features of Chrome, and I thought all could do in Safari was the half-way of RightClick -> Move Tab to New Window. I never noticed you could drag, but I still can't seem to put a window back into a tab!

excellent tips, thanks.

some of my oft-used tricks:
A web-developer type hint: <Apple-SHIFT-R> to Reload & don't cache - ie. reload all images, stylesheets etc.

Also, the Apple-standard trick of holding down <Apple> (aka. Command) allows you to drag, AND resize AND scroll (mouse wheel) in BACKGROUND windows (ie. without activating/bringing the window in front, covering up whatever else your looking at/comparing). You can even do it from other applications.
I love that one. Great for, say, following instructions on how to use a program or something. Strangely enough, not all Apple-made programs follow this old System-9 rule.

reply edit reblog flag

http://kcsb.org/webcast

Franklin 5 days ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

the easiest way is to press cmd-t in the new safari window. this creates two tabs in the new window. now you can drag the desired tab between the safari windows. then simply close the safari window containing only the empty tab.

reply edit reblog flag

2 /people/fdavis/ /people/fdavis/following/ http://www.zaphu.com franklindavis

reon 7 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

To enable web inspector, you can go into Safari Preferences-> Advanced-> Show Develop menu in menu bar..

This creates a new menu with interesting things, including show web inspector. In addition, there are options for changing the User Agent, which allows you to access some sites that say "Windows XP only w/ IE only" or whatever.. it works quite nicely for the online version of msn messenger =D

reply edit reblog flag

Franklin 11 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

@Gabe - Thanks, that is a good suggestion. I should have included that one as I use it everyday. Well, actually I use the middle mouse button which does the same thing.

reply edit reblog flag

http://www.zaphu.com

Gabe Jacobs 11 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I think most people know this one but, command-click link opens link in a new tab....

Its not really a trick, but I couldn't live without it

reply edit reblog flag

http://AppleIntellect.com