Some instructions are here. Ignore the part about working only in IE, some other browsers (Safari included) also display them. Also, GraphicsConverter will do if you need a program that saves ico files.
Actually, it was IE 5 for Windows I think. The Mac version has apparently never supported them.
Among other browsers, I think it works in Safari, Netscape, Opera from version 7, Firefox, Camino and Omniweb 5.
It doesn't work in iCab (although nothing much does, try looking at macrumors.com in iCab 🙄 ). It is meant to work in Mozilla, but it doesn't for me, and I have the option for it to do so on.
Ya I can't remember the reason for having two file types, but there was a reason. That doesn't mean it was a good reason though 🙂 . I have it written down somewhere. I'll try to find it.
Thanks for the help, I figured out that the most "proper" code seems to be
<LINK REL="shortcut icon" HREF="favicon.ico"></LINK>
<LINK REL="icon" HREF="favicon.png"TYPE="image/png"></LINK>
The reason for .ico and .png files is that some browsers like one specifically better, I'm guessing. My testing shows that Safari likes both. Hope this clears some things up, and thanks for the help.
Chase
Yes, it was IE 5 for Windows, and no, it didn't work in the Mac version.
Some browsers look in the root directory for the favicon, so you don't have to put it in the code, but it's good to have a backup.
I looked, and it doesn't seem like they have a reference as you said, but when I added the favicon files without the code, it didn't just automagically show up. As for the link you gave, all pictures will show up on a website if they are on the root / and you have the proper name (doesn't make much sense reading my explanaion, but oh well). Can anyone explain how MacRumors (along with other sites) make their favicon's show up? Thanks.
Chase