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Needed: a Firefox extension/script to filter out unwanted content (all GET requests including those done through redirects: documents, scripts, iframes, pictures, any MIME type, actually).

Already checked out Schuzak's SilentBlock - not really working, cumbersome editing without a GUI.

Features required:

  • Open source
  • Gratis
  • No 'dial home' features
  • Reliable work under Linux and Android
  • A simple GUI allowing adding new/editing existing regex'es in the browser

Optional features:

  • A list of sample regexes to filter out common ads.
  • Whitelist regexes.
  • Ability to fire certain blacklist/whitelist regexes based on the main document's address (e.g. allowing Google APIs on one site and disallowing it on others).

Note: ideally, the extension should prevent the browser from accessing the blocked resource.

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hmm I can't think of anything that does exactly what I think you want to do.

However I have a pretty close option; Adblock Plus.

To go over your requirements:

  • Open source: Yes.
  • Gratis: Yes.
  • No 'dial home' features: auto-updating is the norm for Firefox extensions; that can be disabled in Firefox; Adblock Plus also has filter lists that can be set to auto-update but that can be disabled as well. Other than those two caveats as far as I know ABP doesn't have any dial home functions.
  • Reliable work under Linux and Android: I haven't run it on anything other than Linux (Firefox) or Windows (Firefox and Chrome) but it is very reliable under those circumstances and I would expect it to be fine for other situations - it is advertised for Android at least.
  • A simple GUI allowing adding new/editing existing regex'es in the browser: I'd say it is pretty simple and easy.

Optional features:

  • A list of sample regexes to filter out common ads: Yes there are a bunch available - options of what one(s) to install are included in the install process.
  • Whitelist regexes: Yep white listing is done
  • Ability to fire certain blacklist/whitelist regexes based on the main document's address (e.g. allowing Google APIs on one site and disallowing it on others). hmmm... ah Yes you can.

Adblock Plus is not limited to GET requests and I don't think there is any switch on the rules to only apply to GET requests but I think it should still work well. It uses JavaScript Regexes - MDN docs should be helpful.

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  • 1
    Ain't bare bones, and sold out to advertisers (a.k.a. Acceptable Ads), but I'm looking into its fork AdBlock Edge :)
    – Deer Hunter
    Apr 18 '14 at 18:21
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    Personally I have no problem with the 'Acceptable Ads' - they are disableable and since I now have highspeed I am willing to support sites that I use if they want ads in a non-annoying manner. For that matter I disable ABP on many sites that I get a lot of value from but are otherwise free that I know use per-view paying advertisers.
    – Nick Dickinson-Wilde
    Apr 18 '14 at 18:28
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    Don't forget Element Hiding Helper for Adblock Plus.
    – user2480
    Apr 18 '14 at 19:36
  • Oh yeah forgot about that - never use it myself as I'm just as comfortable just using Firebug/source view but definitely a good option for less sourcecode interested users
    – Nick Dickinson-Wilde
    Apr 18 '14 at 20:05
  • Turns out AdBlock Edge may be used more or less as required if a) I cancel all subscriptions, b) add regexes through the GUI or into the patterns.ini file, c) delete all the content (except the first line) of elemhide.css.
    – Deer Hunter
    Apr 18 '14 at 21:57

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