A tiny downfall
While most of the features included with Firebug are very helpful to developers in debugging their code and getting an overview of their site(s), what can happen when the benefits of the extension are used to benefit others?
Site ripping has long since been a problem, and the ability to view source and save stylesheets have always been a driving force behind the rips. People who have a well of understand of html and what it does will save source code, stylesheets, and images to reproduce and reuse the design and layout as their own.
Of course, all the blame doesn’t fall on an extension like this, because source code stealing could be done without Firebug and in any browser, but it’s what Firebug does that makes it even easier for the novice that really doesn’t have much of an idea what they’re doing figure things out. This is because Firebug puts it all right in front of you, without needing to go through the extra steps of finding the urls for all the images, javascript, and etc. With all different elements being separated, beginners out with the sole purpose of ripping will be able to find their way around the source code a site much easier.
I’ve never been against letting others view and use source code for learning purposes, because it’s exactly how I myself learned how to use css, layout sites, and code without tables. It just it seems to me that there will be some people who misuse an excellent developer plugin like this for personal benefit, because all our code is now up for grabs without needing to dig through file after file for it.
The Final Verdict
Firebug is an excellent tool for any developers toolbox. I can’t wait to really put it to use the next time I’m putting together a site. I highly suggest you pick it up if you haven’t already.
