Glimmerblocker: block ads in Safari 64 bit mode on Snow Leopard
Safari AdBlock worked quite well, however since Input Managers are finally totally discontinued in Snow Leopard we can't use it in Safari running 64 bit mode.
In fact, as the developer states, a new version of Safari Adblock is out in the wild but requires you to run Safari in 32 bit mode, by checking the appropriate flag in Get Info window of Safari.
But since I'm running a 64 bit operating system, kernel and application, I took a step further and began hunting for the appropriate tool and seems that I found it.
GlimmerBlocker doesn't hack Safari, instead it runs a local proxy to filter ads, pretty neat if you ask me.
And for this reason after the installation you won't find preferences directly in Safari, instead you'll find them in your Control Panel, directly in 64 bit mode (PrefPanels that are still 32 bit requires you to reopen the whole Control Panel in 32 bit mode).
The only thing is that when blocking an ads, Adblock removed visually the ads, without leaving empty spaces, meanwhile GlimmerBlocker does (depends on the site you are visiting); however this doesn't change the fact that it's an excellent replacement.
There are also other solid features, ranging from creating your own lists, hacking with javascript to let a page behave like you want and showing youtube download links. By running a customizable proxy transparently like this possibilities are infinite, like using it with other browsers and other native applications which uses http. You can even setup your iPod or iPhone to filter ads when over WiFi.
Thumbs up for this software.
Related posts:
Enjoy this article?
Additional comments powered by BackType
October 28th, 2009 - 02:41
I just can’t use Safari for the sole reason that there isn’t a decent ad blocking solution for it, Glimmer Blocker included. When i want to get rid of advertising, i want to get rid of it NOW. Every ad blocking solution except Adblock Plus with Element Hiding Helper for Firefox falls flat when it comes to user friendliness.
I can’t figure out why a serious ad blocking solution has never been created for Safari. Virtually all have one or more of the problems that they require opening the prefs window to add a rule, block only entire sites, require a browser restart to take effect, require subscription to a blacklist or rule list. They just aren’t all that useful because they have no interface for interacting directly with a currently displayed web page.
January 29th, 2010 - 23:44
Glimmer Blocker works well BUT fails to operate with BlueCoat K9 or in situations where you require the use of a proxy such as in a corporate network.
May 29th, 2010 - 18:23
I just ran into the GlimmerBlocker/K9 issue myself. Not sure if it’s just a matter of both pieces wanting to be the system proxy and one has to win or if there might be a way for the two to peacefully coexist. I have sent emails to both, so we’ll see what happens.