November 10, 2002

8:07 PM

Ghostzilla "is a browser for surfing the Web when you don't want anyone to physically see what you are doing." Bang goes productivity! [Also on /.]
posted by dash_slot- (21 comments total)

...and please folks, heed these words of warning: "If you have a responsible job (an air-traffic controller, for example), where your full attention to what is going on on the screen is vital, please do not use Ghostzilla."

They really do have our interests at heart!
posted by dash_slot- at 8:09 PM on November 10, 2002

ghostzilla can't hide your network traffic. against a determined IT department, ghostzilla won't help much.
posted by moz at 8:31 PM on November 10, 2002

true moz, but it's my furious alt-tabbing that is most likely to do me in.
posted by machaus at 8:46 PM on November 10, 2002

Should we assume Toho, Ltd. is okay with this, since it's made by Mozilla and they have some sort of agreement? Or is there another -zilla witchhunt coming?
posted by apollonia6 at 9:35 PM on November 10, 2002

Yeah, they're honest enough to say: "With Ghostzilla, Internet Explorer, or any other browser, there is almost always a log of Web sites that users access. The log is kept on your company's main server; your network administrator can search that log file for names of offensive sites, and find out who has been visiting those."

However, I really like the subversive nature of this other comment on the Ghostzilla website: "Most companies force people to spend more time in the office than they can physically be productive. At the same time managers dislike seeing employees looking at non-work Web pages. Use Ghostzilla to fill that gap..."

Coding with intent to ... stick it to The Man? It could become an offence! [It goes almost without saying - it's a free download...]
And no, I have no connection with the developers - I just think it's really neat...
posted by dash_slot- at 9:35 PM on November 10, 2002

This browser extension, combined with the Anti-MetaFilter mug could make you look seemingly like the most productive member of any corporation.
posted by mathowie at 9:55 PM on November 10, 2002

Hitler's moustache! That mug is fantastic. Anything with a _Glengarry Glen Ross_ reference is the tits in my book.
posted by UKnowForKids at 10:16 PM on November 10, 2002

Matt: or, if you get busted, bride them with a sign-up. Everyone knows this place is like crack. Once they're hooked, you're safe, and you control their fate. *cue creepy music and evil cackle*
posted by Dark Messiah at 6:42 AM on November 11, 2002

*sniff* These people understand me! They really understand me!

against a determined IT department, ghostzilla won't help much.
Yes, but this is a fair defense against rubbernecking coworkers. I think that's more the point.
posted by Shane at 7:01 AM on November 11, 2002

Heh! Great mug! Glengarry MeFi!
posted by Shane at 7:03 AM on November 11, 2002

Windows only! Damn!
posted by Dean King at 7:24 AM on November 11, 2002

Genius!
posted by BobsterLobster at 7:37 AM on November 11, 2002

That mug is windows only? Crap.
posted by mecran01 at 8:08 AM on November 11, 2002

Pretty cool idea for visual basic coders. I'm a unix guy, so I load up lynx for the same effect.
posted by jragon at 8:37 AM on November 11, 2002

I'm sure productivity has been down for a long time now. Seeing as how most of the people posting here are at work. Very neat.
posted by Jessy at 9:20 AM on November 11, 2002

As GZ won't work on a Mac, here's an alternative...
posted by i_cola at 9:37 AM on November 11, 2002

this makes me wish I had a desk job
posted by gravelshoes at 9:40 AM on November 11, 2002

Heck, that just makes me wish I had a job...
posted by jaded at 11:34 AM on November 11, 2002

If only Trillian had the same feature....

Anybody looked at the source to see how this might be adapted to other applications?
posted by stoic at 11:49 AM on November 11, 2002

Ghostzilla kicks ass. As an empty suit in a cubefarm with scads of nosy sidlers for neighbors, I recommend it unreservedly.
posted by UncleFes at 1:53 PM on November 11, 2002

Doesn't help for employees of ISP's, though, since we browse as part of our jobs. *sigh* When will someone fill this niche??
posted by WolfDaddy at 4:20 PM on November 11, 2002