About
Mojave and Catalina
At this point Safari Prairiefire is not compatible with macOS 10.14 Mojave or 10.15 Catalina. We are working on an update but have no release data to announce. Please download the app and evaluate for free before buying.
About
Safari Prairiefire
Safari
is a great browser and it organizes bookmarks neatly. But...
Sometimes it can get overwhelming to keep track of which bookmarks are
expired ar faulty. This application is designed to clean
up Safari's bookmarks jungle. Prairiefire lists all bookmarks,
scans for dead and missing links, duplicates and allows the user to test,
delete or edit any bookmarks.
Registration
Safari Prairiefire is shareware.
Feel free to use it. If you liked the program please contribute 6 dollars
to the PayPal account register(at)balooba.se (see below).
By contributing you support the shareware philosophy which is a good thing.
Unregistered, the app runs in Light (Demo) mode. You will not be able to
scan all bookmarks at once and the program doesn't save the changes, but
it is still very useful. The registered version has no such limitations.
The easiest way to access the PayPal site is to use the link built into Safari
Prairiefire. Go under Preferences. You can also use the Pay Now button on
top of this page.
You may distribute the app as you want for non-commercial purposes and as
long as you include the ReadMe file. Please send an email to support@balooba.se
if you have questions.
News
Safari Prairiefire has been granted the Famous Software Award at Famous.Why.com. Please click on the link to check it out and to browse their other listings. Read more...
Version history
Version
1.9.7: Improved User Interface and increased Sierra compatability. Version 1.9.7 of Safari Prairiefire extends the support for the latest version of Safari in mac OS 10.12 Sierra and fixes additional instances of the rare issue where certain bookmarks could cause Safari Prairiefire to revert bookmarks to factory defaults. As for all previous versions his version is released as a free upgrade to all registered users and is recommended for all users. Download
Jun, 06, 2015. Version
1.9.6: Improved User Interface and increased Yosemite compatability. Version 1.9.6 of Safari Prairiefire extends the support for the latest version of Safari in OS X 10.10 Yosemite and fixes a rare issue where certain bookmarks could cause Safari Prairiefire to revert bookmarks to factory defaults. This version also brings major user interface updates to windows, instructive dialogs and the menu bar and features a much requested re-worked progress bar. This version is released as a free upgrade to all registered users and is recommended for all users. Special thanks to Hassan Agha for designing the new app icon. Download
Jan, 20, 2013. Version
1.9.3: Streamlined workflow and bug fixes. Version 1.9.3 of Safari Prairiefire removes the need to authenticate with a password in order to save changes to the bookmarks. It also include a few minor bug fixes. The new version is released as a free upgrade for all registered users and is recommended to all users. Download
Aug, 16, 2012. Version
1.9.1: UI and stability update. This version of Safari Prairiefire resolves an incompatabilitiy issue for users of Safari's Reading List feature, which in some cases could cause the bookmarks to be reset to the default installation (requiring users to restore from the saved backup). The new version also has numerous UI improvements, menu shortcuts and over 20 bug fixes. Download
Aug, 03, 2012. Version
1.9.0: Compatible with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. This version of Safari Prairiefire resolves an incompatabilitiy issue for users running OS x 10.8 Mountain Lion, which in some cases could cause the application to quit unexpectedly. THe new version also requires the user to enter an administrator's password in order to modify Safari's bookmarks. The new version is released as a free upgrade for all registered users and is recommended to all users. Download
Mar, 13, 2011. Version
1.8.0: Compatible with Mac OS X 10.7. This version of Safari Prairiefire is designed to be fully compatible with Lion and Mountain Lion. We also finally gave it an icon that was designed from the ground up without elements from the Safari icon. Thanks to using a new compiler the app should also be a lot snappier. Download
Nov, 10, 2011. Version
1.6.0: Compatible with iCloud. This version of Safari Prairiefire addresses an issue where bookmarks files could become corrupted for users running Safari 5.1.1 under Mac OS X 19.7.2 or later. This update supports bookmarks for Safari version 5.1.1 which was released by Apple in November 2011. As part of implementing iCloud Apple modified the way the Safari bookmarks are stored by Mac OS X. (Note that SP always generates a backup copy so no bookmarks are permanently lost.) Version 1.6.0 addresses this issue. Download
Jan, 7, 2011: Version
1.5.0: All about performance. This version is a major performance update. Deleting bookmarks for users with many bookmarks is now over 100 times faster! Scanning for duplicates is significantly faster. Several bugs were identified and fixed: The app now works correctly also for users with more than 10000 bookmarks. The search feature has been improved. The ability to choose Brushed Metal as the window style is end-of-lifed. The bookmark sorting feature is improved and handles primary and secondary sort criteria based on the order the column headers are pressed. When duplicates are removed the default setting is to remove the bookmark that occurs the last (presumably most hidden). Various miscellaneous fixes and performance improvements. Download
Jan, 7, 2011: Version
1.5.0: All about performance. This version is a major performance update. Deleting bookmarks for users with many bookmarks is now over 100 times faster! Scanning for duplicates is significantly faster. Several bugs were identified and fixed: The app now works correctly also for users with more than 10000 bookmarks. The search feature has been improved. The ability to choose Brushed Metal as the window style is end-of-lifed. The bookmark sorting feature is improved and handles primary and secondary sort criteria based on the order the column headers are pressed. When duplicates are removed the default setting is to remove the bookmark that occurs the last (presumably most hidden). Various miscellaneous fixes and performance improvements. Download
Oct, 20, 2010: Version
1.3.3: Bug fixes and improvements. This new version brings increased scanning performance and addresses a bug that for some users could cause the application to incorrectly be identified as an unregistered demo version. This service update is free and recommended for all users. Download
May, 25, 2008: Version
1.3.2: Printing support. Due
to multiple requests, Safari Prairiefire has now been equipped with support
for printing the bookmarks lists. The lists can be sorted prior to printing
for easy-to-read grouping of bookmarks with for example the same server
error codes. Of course, the lists can also be sorted alphabetically based
on the bookmark's names or the target URLs. The update is free and recommended
for all users. Download
Apr, 24, 2008: Safari
Prairiefire version 1.3 released. We are proud to announce yet
another upgrade to Safari Prairiefire. This version brings bug fixes but
also new features such as filtered searches, the highly requested ability
to find duplicate bookmarks, and other user interface improvements. The
update is free and recommended for all users. Download
Jul, 23, 2007: Version 1.2
Safari
Prairiefire goes Universal Binary. The application has been rebuilt
for increased performance on Intel Macs. It brings compatability with Safari
version 3.0. The new version also brings compatibility with web proxies,
and contains a variety of bug fixes. And the icon was changed a little
bit. Download
Feb, 08, 2006: Version
1.1
Safari Prairiefire gets new serial numbers. Many
serial numbers have been removed due to extensive pirating. If you are affected
by this please follow this link to obtain a new valid registration code at no cost. Read
more...
July 19, 2005: Version
1.1
Compatibility problems with bookmarked RSS feeds solved. Handles
feed:// as normal http:// bookmarks. Safari Prairiefire version 1.1 is
compatible with all version of Safari and is recommended to all users.
May 24, 2005: Version
1.0.1
This officially released version is compatible with Safari version
1.3 and 2.0 (Tiger). The bookmarks are stored in a different plist format
not complatible with earlier versions of Prairiefire.
April 29, 2005: Beta version
1.0.1
This version affects users of Mac OS 10.3.9 and 10.4.0 only. Apple
has changed the way the bookmarks are stored. A preliminary build of Safari
Prairiefire has been made that addresses this issue. It is not the official
release and comes without documentation, but should be stable and functional.
Download the here. You
will need to unzip the file.
Features in version 1.0
Finally, I think it's good enough to be called version 1.0. Some new
features as well: Up to fifty (50) times faster to apply changes
to
the bookmarks
library. The window style can be altered between aqua and brushed metal, even
on-the-fly. Safari no longer launches before it is quit. Fixed an issue where
changes to bookmarks remained unchanged. Safari no longer needs to
quit while applying changes.
Features
in version 0.99.4
Added a feature where multiple bookmarks can be scanned simultaneously,
which speeds up the scanning dramatically! The exact number of simultaneous
scans can be set in the Preferences. Brushed
metal is now used, thus following
Apple's Guidelines for user interfaces, which rules that applications with
lists should have brushed metal. I don't always like applications with brushed
metal but in this case it actually works. More comprehensive reporting on
bookmark status/error codes.
Features in version 0.99.SOS (called 0.9.9 on
Versiontracker due to a bug on their website)
The program has updated link to match my new server and does not phone home
when wrong registration codes are entered (this function was never used anyway).
All proceedings are donated to the victims of the Tsunami
disaster in South-east Asia. Read more on the www.balooba.se. The app version was updated with information
and some artwork regarding this.
Features in version 0.98
It is now possible to edit bookmarks directly in the list!
Fixed bugs such as an issue that sometimes prevented the Preferences window
to be opened.
The demo version: less annoying registration messages. Scans half of the
bookmarks (previously 1/5).
Features in version 0.97
Scrolls the list while checking bookmarks so the user sees that the program
is "active".
Supports proxy, enter proxy details in the Preferences.
Indicates when secure sites (https://) are not scanned.
build 16: fixed a bug that caused Safari to delete the Bookmarks.plist file
in some cases.
Features in version 0.96
Faster scanning of the bookmarks. A feature to automatically check bookmarks
based on their status codes. Sort based on status code, URL name, bookmark
name etc and revert to original list order.
Features in version 0.94-0.95
A bug that in some situations made Safari not understand the modified bookmarks
file was fixed. This happened sometimes when the last bokkmark was deleted.
Safari is now quit prior to deleting bookmarks. If Safari is not running
it will be launched and then directly quit. This will likely be an option
in next version. The Help menu was added.
Features
in version 0.9
The
application displays Safari's bookmarks in a list. Bookmarks are read from
the ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist file. Bookmarks are displayed in an
iTunes-like list in columns that allow for sorting. From the list the user
can choose to scan all or a selection to analyze if the links are alive
or down. The user can test a specific bookmark by clicking on its URL at
the bottom of the list. Bookmarks can also be renamed or edited without
opening Safari. Support for proxies.
Installation
Drag
the folder with the application to anywhere you want. To remove it, simply
trash the application. It is optional to delete the small settings file
Buy
Safari Prairiefire and how report feedback
Safari Prairiefire is $6.99. Puchase by clicking
the Buy Now button on the top of this page. You
can also locate purchase options inside Safari Prairiefire's Preferences
screen. Report feedback, suggestions, comments etc to register(at)balooba.se.
Versiontracker's
forum is another good place for discussing and learning about application
details.
Instructions
The application
is largely self-explanatory. Launch the application by double-clicking
its icon. Click "Get Bookmarks" to
build the bookmarks list. Then click "Scan" to begin checking the
URLs. If there is a need (feedback please) I will make a manual or Help function.
Details
and tips on how to streamline your work
a.
The scanning takes a while. But imagine how long it would take to wait
for a browser to load each page and then each page's corresponding bookmark
and delete. Prairiefire only reads the site's headers, that's why it is
so (relatively) fast.
b.
The bookmarks are read in the order Safari stores them. That means that
even if Prairiefire doesn't diplay the hierarchical organization you will
anyway recognize how they are grouped. Do not sort the columns if you wish
to keep them in this order.
c.
When the scanning is done you can view the list and browse for sites with
loading errors. Test the link by using the Visit button. You can sort the
list based in the error types and more quickly find retired bookmarks. Re-test
especially links that wre reported for Timeout-error.
d. You can use the cmd+E shortcut to unlock
the editing in order to rename and edit bookmarks.
e. People that tons of old bookmarks might want to scan and fix a portion
of the bookmarks the first time. For example begin scanning all bookmarks
beginning with the letters A-G. After scanning and organizing them, continue
with another set or the rest of the bookmarks.
f. You can choose to delete unwanted bookmarks. Just check the little box and under the Tools menu click Delete Selected Bookmarks.
Remove iCloud Duplicates
iCloud has a very irritating bug that in some cases duplicates entire bookmarks sets. Safari Prairiefire can find and delete bookmarks stored locally on your Mac. But using this workflow you can make sure that your fixed, fresh bookmarks get uploaded to iCloud so you can enjoy them on all your Macs, iPhones etc.
Here is a blog post on how to remove duplicates introduced by iCloud and how to upload your fixes to iCloud (link)
There have not been enough issues yet to create
an FAQ list. Please email all your issues to me and I will put the common
ones here.
Q: Safari
Prairiefire seems to edit or remove bookmarks just fine. But when I launch Safari all bookmarks are deleted and replaced with a generic set of pre-installed bookmarks. What is going on here?
A: The reason for the issue is related to permissions. Safari reads and writes to the bookmarks.plist file. What happens is that Safari fails to read it and therefore decides to erase it completely and "start fresh". To avoid this from happening run Repair Permissions on your hard drive using Disk Utility (located in Applications/Utilities).
Q: Safari
Prairiefire suddenly says that my serial number is not valid. It has worked
before and I am using the same code as when I registered. Why is this and
what shall I do?
A: Some serial numbers have been used for pirating. After
a while it just got too much and some serial numbers had to be made invalid.
We apologize for the inconvenience. As a registered used you are entitled
to a valid serial number. To get a new registration code please send a quick
mail. Just include some info that will
link you to the original registration (the email you used for PayPal, your
name etc). A new code will be emailed asap to you. Please allow for a day
or so although usually the turn-around is within a few hours.
Q: Safari Prairiefire reports 'Timeout 5 s' about bookmarks that I
know are ok. What is going on and how can I fix this?
A: A bookmark times out when Safari Prairiefire has not
heard from the server with a specified number of seconds. Setting Safari
Prairiefire to scan too high number of bookmarks at the time will result
in the network bandwidth to become the bottleneck. Safari Prairiefire will
then report 'Timeout' for sites that are otherwise intact. The solution is
to re-scan the sites that have appeared as timed out but the permanent fix
is to reduce the number of simultaneous scans to a number that your network
can handle. Users with slow networks can also choose to adjust the time before
timeout will occur (default is 5 seconds).
Q: Safari Prairiefire reports various error codes. What do they actually
mean?
A: See here for a more or less
complete list.
Q: Safari Prairiefire stops responding or stalls
while it scans. What shall I do?
A: Sometimes the application can appear as
stalled and frozen. This happens while checking certain URLs, that are defect
in a manner that the connection has to wait. During this time all other ongoing
connections are also forced to wait and the program seems to be non-responding.
Patience is the vest cure at this point until the bookmark's connections times
out and the program can respond.
System
requirements, bugs, and disclaimer
The
application was created to run under Mac OS X and version 0.9 was tested
only on version 10.9.1. As of November 2013 this little application has
no known serious bugs. Please report any bugs, complaints, applause et c to the
email address below. The program comes with no guarantees whatsoever but
it beats me how anyone could use Safari Prairefire to cause any harm. I
assume no responsibility whatsoever for any damage, dataloss, hardware
problems or any other undesired results caused by this or any other software.
The user should back up the hard drive or at least the Safari Bookmarks
file before using this application and by using the software the user agrees
to not pressing any legal charges on anyone affiliated with Safari Prairiefire.
Acknowledgements
Thanks
to madcadmium, mikevangorkom, j0h4nnes, and Larry Elliott for suggestions and
betatesting. Thanks to Hassan Agha for making the 2015 Safari Prairiefire app icon.
Safari
Prairiefire is ©2003-2015 Peter Berglund, Balooba Software, prairiefire@balooba.se
