AppleChronicles

Safari the best overall browser for the Mac. However, you can make it even better by taking advantage of a few simple add-ons.

• GlimmerBlocker is an ad blocker that is implemented as an http proxy. The stability of Safari isn't compromised because it doesn't use any hacks. You'll always be able to upgrade Safari without breaking GlimmerBlocker (or waiting for a new release); and you'll be able to upgrade GlimmerBlocker without upgrading Safari.
• Jar makes sure the only cookies kept on your Mac are from sites in your history, bookmarks or top sites. No sites to block or unblock, “Remove” buttons to click or maintenance to perform. Jar costs $10.

Sometimes you want your browser window to be a specific size. You can drag to resize the window, or you can create a bookmark using the following code as the address:
javascript:resizeTo(1366,1024);
I have several such bookmarks to test what sites look like in different browser window sizes.

If you wish to validate the HTML and/or CSS code in webpages that you visit, create two bookmarks using the following code as the addresses:
javascript:window.location="http://validator.w3.org/check?uri="+window.location
javascript:window.location="http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/validator?uri="+window.location
Then when you are viewing a webpage you wish to validate, go to the either of the above bookmarks.

The Safari browser has an optional Develop menu which includes a web inspector, the ability to control scripting, and other things. You may want to activate the Develop menu in Preferences on the Advanced tab. It can be useful for looking at more details behind a website.

Although Safari is a fine browser, it does have a few irritating omissions. Safari is missing:

• Multiple search engine selection options for the search bar
• A master password to control/use saved passwords
• A separator for links in a bookmarks bar folder
• An open plug-in architecture and manager

Maybe Apple will address these issues in a future release.