Macfixit thinks you're an idiot for using PithHelmet

[hal]

I'm under the impression that macfixit's quality has been on a gentle slide for a long time, but this is a new low... They actually insulted their readership...

***
Just today we received this email:

Dear Sirs:

Safari 2.0.4 freezes on Mac OS X 10.4.10 while surfing Internet. Console says:

2007-07-06 08:07:28.023 Console[1117] *** -[NSBundle load]: Error loading code /Library/InputManagers/Menu Extra Enabler/Menu Extra Enabler.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Menu Extra Enabler for bundle /Library/InputManagers/Menu Extra Enabler/Menu Extra Enabler.bundle, error code 2 (link edit error code 0, error number 0 ())

I am puzzled.

Well, stop being puzzled and try the advice we have given again and again. Stop using Input Managers. Just stop it! Locate your InputManagers folders (in your user Library directory and in the top-level /Library directory), empty them, and restart the computer. Yes, you'll lose some cute customization, but you'll gain a computer that operates with more of the stability and predictability that you expect from Mac OS X.

***

In the article, they point to a list of such software (http://db.tidbits.com/article/08430) and PithHelmet is the most popular on that list...

See the whole thing on macfixit.com

Just reporting the facts... I don't use safari or pithhelmet or any of the other apps mentioned.

[MacMagus]

Good for them.

Input managers are a security risk, they inevitably cause crashes and every Safari upgrade requires fixes to the damned things.

I hope that Apple plugs that hole in Leopard.

[tuqqer]

MacMagus, do you use any Safari utility that stops most ads? If I could find something else besides PithHelmet, I'd use it. But surfing without PithHelmet is like watching TV without first Tivo-recording it first.

I get MacFixit's suggestion, which is basically "don't add anything that Apple didn't put in there." and they have a point, especially for those experiencing problems. It wouldn't be how I'd want to use my Mac, but there is a risk involved with adding things like Chax, iGlasses, PithHelmet, and so on.

[hal]

No tugger, you didn't get what they said at all.

From macfixit: "And we have repeatedly referred to this article

[MacMagus]

There's nothing inherently wrong with 3rd party software. It's specifically input managers that we're talking about.

If you want ad-blocking, use Firefox and a plug-in. If you miss Safari's interface, add a Safari theme to Firefox.

I feel ill at the mere thought of how many times I've been called to fix a crashing Mac where it turned out that the user had installed some Safari hack.

You have my sympathy. Really. I want to be able to use Safari as my everyday browser. I want others to be able to enjoy using Safari without having to hack it. I want Safari to be a good browser because it would reflect well on Apple and on Mac users in general.

Apple does not seem inclined to make Safari a full-featured browser and hacking it to add features that other browsers have just makes trouble. It would be nice if that weren't the case, but it is.

Input managers can (and do) eventually create havoc, even if they seem well behaved at the time that they are installed. Something always breaks them. No, I can't prove that by citing any study. I just know that from experience. As do all the folks at MacFixit and everyone of any competence who supports Macs professionally.

[tuqqer]

Good food for thought, MM. thanks.

[hal]

I suspect that apple doesn't want it's own ads to be blocked from the default Safari home page. It would defeat the whole purpose of safari (which is to make more money for apple)

[karsen]

Macfixit is right.

[Article Accelerator]

[quote hal]
Stop using Input Managers. Just stop it! Locate your InputManagers folders (in your user Library directory and in the top-level /Library directory), empty them, and restart the computer. Yes, you'll lose some cute customization, but you'll gain a computer that operates with more of the stability and predictability that you expect from Mac OS X.
That's excellent advice from Macfixit.

Good for them!

[chas_m]

MacFixit IS right, particularly about PithHelmet (is that a lisp in that app's name?)

HOWEVER, I've been testing them carefully and am pleased to say that Chax and SafariBlock (newest version!) are two InputManagers that appear to be stable and play nice with the system. YMMV, but those two alone have caused no problems I can find, and GREATLY enhance the apps they mess with.

Again, YMMV.