Safari or Firefox

Firefox's extensions are where it's real power is, but looking back on it do you need them? I mean, quicksilver and safari would be enough for most real users. My main issue with safari is that it bookmarks BADLY for me, del.icio.us integration is helpful with that though.

I have to say that Safari is probably the stronger browser for me at this point, but that could change.

Firstly let me say that when I develop a web-site I test it in any browser and on any platform I can get my grubby little hands on. What I'm talking about for the remainder of this post is my personal preference when I'm using the web.

I only use FireFox, for two reasons. First and foremost, I try to utilize portable applications for everything so I can carry my computing environment on my Flash Drive. Secondly, is some of the plug-ins. Now, I do not utilize very many plug-ins but I swear by those that I do use. One of the best is IETab which allows me to open firefox tabs using the IE rendering engine. So I can have two gmail accounts open in Firefox. Additionally, I can test things in IE or firefox from inside firefox. Also sites that only work in IE, such as the school I'm working on my masters degree through, can be opened in an IETab.

Well, I've been using Firefox on my mac forever, but it was mostly because I could double-click and make a new tab in the tab bar. I loved the new safari interface, it was just more intuitive and more fitting to my personality I guess. After upgrading to Leopard, I still didn't use Safari for that sole reason. But then a friend of mine gave me this plug-in that allowed me to double click tab, which solved most of my problems with Safari instantly.

I'm a bit OCD with my bookmarks, so strangely, I actually like the bookmark button in Safari. i know some people complain about how you can't type keywords into the address bar like you can in Safari, but there's a plug-in that does it for Safari too. and Inquisitor for Safari just TOPS any browser's instant search. It's basically live, auto-completing instant search combined with engine choices and previews. I love it.

Ive only got a few minor quibbles with safari

*I can't middle mouse button to close a tab
*I can't specify whether i want images to resize in the preferences menu (in fact I dont think theres any way to fix this)
*bookmarks seem to get thrown into one aggregate folder that exists under the bookmarks menu. Id rather just see my long list of bookmarks when I click bookmarks.
*double clicking the tab area doesn't create new tabs

I just feel firefox is a bit more intuitive with what I want.


I have however been playing with Opera lately and I'm pretty hooked. I like the whole speed dial home page idea. I know it's possible to open a bunch of pages under tabs at once as a 'home page' but I like the idea of picking and choosing which one i want to see when i start my browser. Call me picky if you like. Also Opera seems to have a lot of the default settings that I like straight out of the box and shares more features with FF than safari. There is no bottom status bar which means full screen is REALLY full screen.

I agree with syalam, Firefox has invaluable plug-ins from a developer stand-point such as LiveHTTP Headers, Firebug, etc.

I wouldn't necessarily go with Safari, it is not anywhere close to having any majority market share which means developers will almost always tend to making their websites render well last in Safari or not at all. Technology is changing rapidly, don't believe in all the hype surrounding Safari's speed, it's largely due to the massive memory footprint it leaves on your system reaching to a stunning 1.3 GB sometimes: http://unethicalblogger.com/posts/2008/02/i_hate_mac_os_x

I hear some interesting things about Opera. In the end it's really about what doesn't horde RAM, has speed, and offers tools to enhance your experience. I only load Internet Explorer for testing and when I need to log into a second gmail account.

There's a big movement for Firefox, well deserving in my opinion.

Firefox on Windows, Safari on Mac. Bottom line - if you want speed go with safari. if you can't live without extensions go with firefox. If you are a developer - IE, FF, Opera, and Safari for you.

In the past one year, I used firefox. But when safari on windows comed up, I began use it and fall in love with it. It's very fast, specially when I'm on google reader.... ;o)