Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What is MacScrape?
MacScrape is a powerful web analysis tool that crawls websites, extracts valuable information, and provides insightful analysis using AI technologies, specifically leveraging Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
Who is MacScrape for?
MacScrape is designed for researchers, marketers, data analysts, and anyone who needs to extract and analyze web content at scale.
Is MacScrape free to use?
MacScrape is open-source and free to use. However, it relies on external AI services which may have associated costs.
Installation and Setup
What are the system requirements for MacScrape?
- Python 3.8 or higher
- 4GB RAM (8GB recommended for large-scale crawling)
- 1GB free disk space
How do I install MacScrape?
You can install MacScrape using pip:
I'm getting an error during installation. What should I do?
First, ensure you have the latest version of pip:
If the issue persists, check our Troubleshooting Guide or open an issue on our GitHub repository.
Usage
How do I start analyzing a website?
Use the following command:
Can I analyze multiple websites at once?
Yes, you can provide multiple URLs:
How do I customize the analysis depth?
Use the --depth flag:
What output formats does MacScrape support?
MacScrape supports JSON and CSV output formats. Use the --output flag to specify:
AI Analysis
What AI model does MacScrape use?
MacScrape primarily uses Claude 3.5 Sonnet from Anthropic for advanced content analysis.
Can I use my own AI model with MacScrape?
Currently, MacScrape is optimized for Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Support for custom models may be added in future releases.
How accurate is the AI analysis?
The AI analysis is highly accurate, but as with all AI systems, it's not infallible. We recommend using it as a powerful tool to assist human analysis, not replace it entirely.
Data and Privacy
Does MacScrape store the web pages it scrapes?
By default, MacScrape does not store the full content of scraped web pages. It only stores the extracted and analyzed data.
Is the data sent to AI services encrypted?
Yes, all communication with AI services is encrypted using HTTPS.
How can I ensure I'm using MacScrape ethically?
Always respect websites' robots.txt files, terms of service, and use rate limiting to avoid overwhelming servers. Only scrape publicly available data and respect copyright laws.
Troubleshooting
MacScrape is running slowly. How can I speed it up?
Try increasing the number of concurrent connections:
Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection and consider upgrading your hardware if you're processing large amounts of data.
I'm getting "Access Denied" errors. What should I do?
Some websites may block automated scraping. Try the following:
- Respect the website's
robots.txtfile - Use a longer delay between requests
- Consider reaching out to the website owner for permission
The AI analysis seems incorrect or incomplete. What can I do?
Try using a more specific prompt:
If issues persist, please report them on our GitHub issue tracker.
Contributing
How can I contribute to MacScrape?
We welcome contributions! Please see our Contributing Guide for details on how to submit pull requests, report bugs, or request features.
I found a bug. Where should I report it?
Please report bugs on our GitHub Issues page. Include as much detail as possible to help us reproduce and fix the issue.
Support
Where can I get help if my question isn't answered here?
You can:
- Check our Documentation
- Ask a question on our GitHub Discussions page
- Join our community chat on Discord
How often is MacScrape updated?
We aim to release updates monthly, with bug fixes and minor improvements released as needed. Check our Changelog for the latest updates.