New to Mac / Switcher Tips: How to Change the Default Browser

It is indeed quite annoying that the default browser can only be changed through Safari's preferences. I deleted Safari before realizing this, so how am I supposed to do now ? The thought of having to download a new copy of Safari _just_ to change my preference away from it makes me want to hit my mac. Does anybody know where in the local user directory (somewhere in $HOME/Library/ I guess) the information is actually stored ?

who would want to switch from safari anyway?

Yes, this is a really stupid omission from OS/X. However there is a thirdparty preference pane that can solve this problem (and other applications) and it is freeware: http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/

I think that Apple was right to move the preference for default browser into Safari-- and I think that every other browser should follow their lead. There are too many different kinds of protocols (mail, IM, ftp, realplayer stream, windows media stream, etc., etc.) for Apple to put a preference for each of them in the internet panel. Instead it makes more sense for each application to handle it in its own preference panel.

Its annoying because it's not right! Its Apple (acting like Microsoft) forcing you to open their browser to switch to another browser. Its wrong! Their is no reason for that option to be there vs in System Preferences. Sorry for going off, but that is my one hot button, and it just got pushed... Erik

While we're at it, is there a similarly obscure window for changing the default FTP client? Right now mine is set to an old unregistered app I used to use, instead of my spiffy new registered one. Very annoying.

I've been wondering this for a while, but been too lazy to look for the setting. I was getting tired of links from Thunderbird opening in Safari instead of Firefox.

pedro: variety is the spice of life.

While I agree the placement of the internet control pane is a little odd, I don't see why it is that annoying. I mean, how frequently do you need to change your defualt browser?

Well when you think about it... you should be using Safari in the first place.