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Mac OS X  |  Internet  |  Browsers  |  GlimmerBlocker

GlimmerBlocker

GlimmerBlocker - 1.3.1

Ad blocker for Safari.

All Time: (3.8)
Version 1.3.1: (5.0)
Selected Version: 1.3.1
Release Date: 2009-01-24
License: Freeware
Downloads (version 1.3.1): 514
Downloads (all versions): 4,900

Information Related to Version:

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Product Description:

The problem with other ad-blockers for Safari is that they are implemented as awful hacks: as an InputManager and/or ApplicationEnhancer. This compromises the stability of Safari and very often create problems when Apple releases a new version of Safari. GlimmerBlocker is implemented as an http proxy, so the stability of Safari isn't compromised because it doesn't use any hacks. It is even compatible with all other browsers. You'll always be able to upgrade Safari without breaking GlimmerBlocker (or waiting for a new release); and you'll be able to upgrade GlimmerBlocker without upgrading Safari. This makes it much easier to use the beta versions of Safari and especially the nightly builds of WebKit. Because GlimmerBlocker doesn't hack Safari, there is a few things it isn't able to do: adding a block by right-clicking an image, stopping pop-unders, and filtering cookies from 3rd party sites. But you win a lot in stability, and GlimmerBlocker provides much easier methods for adding your own modifications to pages by adding css rules, pieces of Javascript or by transforming the html before Safari receives it. So I'll hope you're happy with the tradeoff. If you can program in Javascript you'll be able to add your own modification to pages. See the included filters for examples, e.g. adding a download link to YouTube.

What's new in this version:

Performance and compatibility release

The use of keep-alive/connection headers have been improved so Safari doesn't waste time trying to reuse a connection which is not reusable. In addition to being faster, this helps compatibility with some sites.

Never use keep-alive connections to Safari when downloading attachments as it seems like Cocoa's URLDownloader has a keep-alive bug when concurrently downloading several documents from the same server. The symptom is that the download hangs for a while when it is almost done (99%). This is often seen when downloading multiple items from rapidshare.

Little Snitch users: GlimmerBlocker now checks if Little Snitch must be upgraded. The 'Core System Version' 385 often breaks internet connectivity and must be upgraded to 387. Unfortunately, version 2.0.4 of Little Snitch have been released with both 385 and 387, so current 2.0.4 users may have to upgrade to 2.0.4(!). A re-download and installation of Little Snitch solves the problem.

Improved http client debug logging: Log DNS resolve time and time used for connecting to remote server.

Operating System Requirements:

This product is designed to run on the following operating systems:

  • Mac OS X 10.5 Intel
  • Mac OS X 10.5 PPC

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Feedback Summary:

Version 1.3.1:
Overall Rating: (5.0) Features: (4.0) Support: (4.0)
Ease of Use: (5.0) Quality / Stability: (5.0) Price: (5.0)
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GlimmerBlocker ReviewI tried the others and no joy... - Version: 1.4.2, 10/28/2009 10:30PM PST

(0 of 1 users found this comment useful)

Gennx30
what a feeling of relief when videos that I post which are copyright flagged-if they dont pull them-then they put a popup ad for Amazon on them; I feel that
For FREE;
I am providing high quality content for YT-TV stations have to pay to get programs, ya know
I am doing free publicy and promotion for the record company and group by making a video
all for art and personal satisfaction and no life
So how irksome to see ads pop up over my titles
and now NOT ONE of them pops up-in fact the ad flag and Amazon pull down menu is gone!!!

5 cheers for Glimmer!
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GlimmerBlocker ReviewThis is my new ad blocker - Version: 1.4.2, 10/7/2009 09:30AM PST

(1 of 1 users found this comment useful)

rskinner
I've used GlimmerBlocker off and on for a couple years, but was a loyal PithHelmet user, so I never switched until recently. GlimmerBlocker does not slow down Safari at all, which was the motivating factor in the switch. It hasn't caught as many ads as PH, but the offending ad sites can easily be added to GlimmerBlocker's black list. Adding sites is easy.
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GlimmerBlocker ReviewWorks fine - Version: 1.4.1, 10/6/2009 01:07PM PST

(1 of 1 users found this comment useful)

supercrisp1
This product replaces my previous ad blocker and URL shortcut add-ons, SafariBlock and Sogudi. When Apple gave input managers the heave-ho, I had to find something else, and this was the only free option. So I tried it. It's perfect. It's easy to configure, and the ads it chooses to block seem to be reasonable. I still get ads, but the annoying or NSFW ones aren't there anymore. If that's not good enough, you can configure it to block more ads. I recommend trying it.
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