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DESCRIPTION
GlimmerBlocker... 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.

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WHAT'S NEW
Version 1.4.2:
  • Reduced memory usage: GlimmerBlocker now uses less memory when using Snow Leopard (10.6) on 64-bit capable hardware
  • Fix hang when opening the Sys Prefs Panel: Use short http timeout when testing if the java server is running or not, as the standard 60 sec timeout (times 3 tries) will hang the Sys Prefs Panel for a long time.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.5 or later.

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SCREENSHOT

Developer:Vitality ApS
Downloads:13,044
  - Version d/l:1,905
Internet:Browsers
License:Free
Date:06 Oct 2009
Platform:PPC/Intel
RATING
****½
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GlimmerBlocker User Reviews (43 posts)Write A Review
sort: smiles | time
Nov 13 2009
***..

LIBCRYPT  I hate to say it, but there's no ad-blocking proxy out there that won't significantly slow down browsing. After a few months of GlimmerBlocker, I've had to switch back to Safari Adblock. Pages now load far, far more quickly.  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+4
[ Reply ]
Nov 5 2009
*****

TH3 J0K3R  Still THE BEST

seems like it speeds up web browsing cause your not forced to waste bandwith on ads  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
-2
[ Reply ]
Nov 2 2009
***..

CORPSECORPS  After using Privoxy for a periods of time in the past, i thought a proxy would be a good way to go if it just wasn't as horribly user unfriendly as that software.

This still isn't very user friendly: i.e. no simple interface for immediate changes to ad blocking.

The only really good solution i've found for ad blocking is Firefox + Adlbock Plus with Element Hiding Helper.

I had to toss GlimmerBlocker, because as a proxy it necessarily affects all browsers and i don't need the chaos of both GlimmerBlocker and Adblock Plus working in tandem. Back to an ad-storm while using Safari and other browsers.  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+2
[ Reply ]
Oct 27 2009

FLUENTNUDGE  Apparently Glimmerblock bypasses Little Snitch which allows _any_ app to connect if they use the proxy... Unless you approve each and every connect glimmerblocker does...

So uninstalled...  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+2
[ Reply ]
Oct 9 2009

DREAMKATCHA  Yes, it blocks ads, but unfortunately that's not all it blocks. With this enabled, half the pages I (try to) visit need to be refreshed before they'll appear, and the ones that do load first time take three times as long. I'd rather see the ads than go back to dial-up speeds, thanks.

I tried to uninstall it as per the instructions and the 'activate GlimmerBlocker' checkbox was greyed out so I had to delete the preference pane and then re-install it just to see if GlimmerBlocker was the cause of my problems. It was.  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+2
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
Replies:
Oct 16 2009

CORINNA  I had the exact same problem. I was prepared to blame my ISP, but I removed GlimmerBlocker and the problems disappeared. I have a new problem now: ads.   
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+2

Oct 5 2009

PROGRAMHAPPY  It is not blocking any ads from googlesyndication.com or doubleclick.net. It may not be working altogether.

OS 10.6.1 & Safari 4.0.3  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
0
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
Replies:
Oct 6 2009

ZUULITO  glimmerblocker is very easilly customizable

just go in the filters pane,

click the + at the bottom and add doubleclick.net (for example) in the host field.

Hit OK and voilà !

(you can select 'is in domain' instead of 'is', to get all the subdomains from doubleclick.net if you want)  
(Version 1.4.2)

praisebury
+1

Sep 21 2009

IVANOVITCH  I'd be more impressed if it didn't block Facebook:

"Request failed.

Got java.io.EOFException (Unexpected end of ZLIB input stream): http://www.facebook.com/n/?reqs.php&mid=1.....(etc)"

Oh well...  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
+2
[ 2 Replies - Reply ]
Replies:
Sep 29 2009

BRSMA  +1 This is quite annoying. I'd be grateful to see this fixed ASAP.  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
0
Sep 30 2009

RONL  Use a "userContent.css" instead.

You can download one from   
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
+1

Sep 14 2009

JOSHP  If you remove this prefpane, iTunes can't get to the iTunes Music Store or update podcasts until you also remove the proxy info from Safari. Go to Safari--> Preferences--> Advanced--> Change Settings and uncheck Web Proxy.  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
-1
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
Replies:
Sep 17 2009

TH3 J0K3R  Did u uncheck activate GlimmerBlocker before removing the preference pane?  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
0

Sep 14 2009

RONL  I was using Glimmerblocker, but because it uses a proxy server it increases the overhead for Safari and consequently Safari was sometimes hanging when loading pages.

Now I use a userContent.css style sheet for Safari instead of Glimmerblocker.

Safari works faster this way and only takes a minute to set up... and of course it is free.

Both Safari and Firefox can easily use userContent style sheets via their Preference settings.

In Safari simply go to Preferences > Advanced > Style sheet... and select your userContent.css

You can find the latest css at: http://www.floppymoose.com (or if MacUpdate deletes this URL do a search using Google for "Better Ad Blocking for Firefox, Mozilla, Camino, and Safari").  
(Version 1.4.1)

praisebury
+2
[ Reply ]
Sep 10 2009

ROBOTANK  The transition to Snow Leopard highlighted for me the substantial advantage Glimmer Blocker has over other Safari ad blockers. While all Input Manager based plugins stopped working with 64-bit Safari, Glimmer Blocker continued to function without a hiccup. While I unfortunately had/have to wait for a couple other plugins to be updated, at least I didn't have to deal with ads. As for Glimmer Blocker having a less thorough filter set than Safari AdBlock, I've found that with some of the additional filters linked to on the GB web page installed, I've managed to get nearly complete ad blocking, so far only needing three domains on my own filter. Also, I've found that Safari's page loading speed with GB is far superior than with AdBlock. I suspect this has to do with the way ads are blocked, though I could be wrong. It looks to me like AdBlock loads the data from the ad server then prevents it from being displayed, while GB prevents the data from being loaded at all. In any case, I'm very pleased with GB, and I strongly recommend it over the existing alternatives.  
(Version 1.4)

praisebury
+1
[ Reply ]
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