why does apache forbid access via symbolic links?

I am trying to install typo3 as per the instructions but I have a bit of a puzzle to solve. It seems apache denies access to any files I try to access via any symbolic link in the site root directory. I have changed permissions from SymLinksIfOwnerMatch to FollowSymLinks and no joy. I'm working on mac OSX (SL) and installing in my user's "Sites" directo开发者_Python百科ry. I can access any files in this CMS directory via the web browser just not anything through symbolic links.

I hope konsolenfreddy's comment was helpful already. I am trying to round things up here:

1. First check if the symlinks work from terminal and/or the filesystem in general.
2. Also, if you use absolute paths, the whole path from root to the file in question must be readable by the Apache user. *
3. If yes, check if the AllowOverride option is set for your webserver (or if applyable for the virtual host) For debugging you can set AllowOverride All in either apache2.conf, httpd.conf or in sites-available/default
4. If yes, check if FollowSymlinks is aktivated in any of the files responsible for your webroot, starting with apache2 working yourself down to the .htaccess files.
5. Try changing file permissions on the symlink file and the target directory (or files)
6. Try creating your own symlink and see what happens when you call it in the browser.

* Check this answer at askubuntu.com for more hints.

Ok I eventually solved it. In OSX the final file that governs access of sites installed in user directories is the last Include line in the apache2/conf/extra/httpd-userdir.conffile. Once I changed that my problems went away. Thanks to all the people that replied my questions.