Blog → Compile and install lynx browser on OSX 10.6 | Andrey's photo, drupal, mac and more

Looks like after setting up PHP I'm now a compile-my-own adept. Here is my take on lynx web browser.

You may ask why would you need lynx at all? Well. There are many uses: usability and accessibility testing, understanding content layout without CSS tricks, checking SEO points (you see the site about the same as search engine sees it) and much much more. After all it looks so geeky :)

#1. Create src directory in your user folder where all needed files will be stored initially:
mkdir ~/src

#2. Download, compile and install

cd ~/src/
curl -O http://lynx.isc.org/lynx2.8.7/lynx2.8.7.zip
tar xjf lynx2.8.7.zip
cd lynx2-8-7/
./configure
sudo make install
## I you want help to be installed as well:
sudo make install-help

That's it. Now you can call your website say like this:

lynx http://andreys.info

Just a remark on why I wouldn't use pre-compiled version: the installer I found seemed to be somewhat creepy but probably just outdated.

text:

terminal

mac

tips

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

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Comments

Thanks!

Just wanted to say thanks for the info on how to install Lynx!

This will be great for testing my website!

By Anonymous on Fri, 2010-05-14 10:39 Permalink

Thanks!

While the popularity of text browsers has decreased, Lynx has retained a solid share of several niche markets. I would like to thank you for sharing about how to install lynx browser.
KVM Switches

By KVM Switches on Tue, 2010-12-21 10:55 Permalink

As the popularity of text

As the popularity of text-based browsers decreased, the lynx has maintained a strong share of market niches for many. I want to thank you for sharing how to install the browser Lynx.

By mona on Sat, 2011-09-17 12:22 Permalink

Works for Lion and XCode 4.1

Works for Lion and XCode 4.1 also.

By Andrew Gilmartin on Tue, 2011-09-20 16:12 Permalink

Falls at first hurdle for me

For some reason I type the curl line command and it says
Julia-MacBook-Pro:~ Jools$ cd ~/src/
JuliaMacBook-Pro:src Jools$ curl -o http://lynx.isc.org/lynx2.8.7/lynx2.8.7.zip
curl: no URL specified!
curl: try 'curl --help' or 'curl --manual' for more information
Any ideas?

By Anonymous on Thu, 2011-11-17 17:26 Permalink

It should be capital O

It should be capital O as option. I.e.:
curl -O ... (not curl -o).

By robot on Wed, 2011-11-23 11:01 Permalink

thanks for the how to

Thanks a bunch! This really helped. Clear and works the first time. :)

By Joyce Miletic on Fri, 2012-02-10 17:06 Permalink

Great info!

I don't seem to have make on my system... What compiler should I be running to make and install?

thanks!

Carl

By Carl on Wed, 2013-05-01 03:59 Permalink