Thoughts about Opera

[johnnywtllts]

So far, this is the fastest browser (with comparable features) that I've used in Linux, unless I'm missing something - this thing beats the hell out of Firefox. I'm using Slackware 10.2 and Fluxbox on a Celeron 700MHZ so I'm all about speed and keeping things lightweight.

It's also the first non-Open Source application that I've settled on since switching to Linux (I guess).

1) Are there other apps that are common or popular in the Linux world that are closed source?

2) Is there something about Opera that sucks?

Thanks

Johnny

[Wally Balljacker]

I don't like Opera myself. Tried it quite a few times and I just can't get used to it. It seems nice and fast, but I don't like the interface, and how it doesn't support my Firefox live bookmarks. It also integrates poorly into GNOME.

[Patrick]

I played around for a little bit with Opera. It worked fine but the interface was not as intuitive as firefox or konqueror.

[Chess]

Although I don't think Firefox is the perfect browser or anything, it's the only one I'll use -- mainly because of the extensions. I don't know what I'd do without the Adblock w/ Filterset.G, web developer bar, and sage extensions.

[johnnywtllts]

Yeah, the interface is pretty screwy. I haven't hit anything that has stopped me yet, but it's definitely different.

[Jza]

I dont think Opera is screwy at all. I think is the best interface. Many people hasnt realize you get more screen space since the bars are not as invasive as Firefox (or IE, Mozilla and the rest).

The interface is actually the best, is like how apps should be. Similar to KDE in the sense they hide the menus on a bar on the left.

I know that Opera doesnt support live bookmarks but honestly I think live bookmarks sucks. Opera introduced RSS ages before Firefox and Opera are a database driven Email and RSS.

RSS in Opera are great for the following reason, first you have a search feature, you can email it and also you can get content and header for each RSS entry.

I really can't avoid but feel a bit disapointed since Linux guys are more open minded about new UI and about innovation. I do understand that Opera is not free as in speech. But I do suggest to master the keystrokes and u will swear this is meant to be a FLOSS app.

[doublejoon]

I gave it a try I like some of the features but these are the things I hate about it

Yahoo mail=will not work
Gmail= will not work
Printing = Oh boy...you have to have QT installed and point it to /usr/bin/kprinter..why??? I have no idea. I havent gotten it to work any other way

[Linc]

I gave it a try I like some of the features but these are the things I hate about it

Yahoo mail=will not work
Gmail= will not work
Printing = Oh boy...you have to have QT installed and point it to /usr/bin/kprinter..why??? I have no idea. I havent gotten it to work any other way

I don't have Yahoo mail to try, but I can assure you gmail works just fine. Was using it yestarday.

[Linc]

I played around for a little bit with Opera. It worked fine but the interface was not as intuitive as firefox or konqueror.

The only truely intuitive interface is a nipple. Everything else is relative.

[Judland]

I played around for a little bit with Opera. It worked fine but the interface was not as intuitive as firefox or konqueror.

The only truely intuitive interface is a nipple. Everything else is relative.

That's a good indication NOT to let Linc borrow your laptop.... unless you don't mind having a keyboard wet with drool!

[johnnywtllts]

Opera's interface is nowhere near as intuitive as a nipple, but it is a good browser for finding pictures of them.....fast (in Yahoo mail as a matter of fact).

[doublejoon]

I gave it a try I like some of the features but these are the things I hate about it

Yahoo mail=will not work
Gmail= will not work
Printing = Oh boy...you have to have QT installed and point it to /usr/bin/kprinter..why??? I have no idea. I havent gotten it to work any other way

I don't have Yahoo mail to try, but I can assure you gmail works just fine. Was using it yestarday.

Well maybe its my configuration
Opera still wants to use our proxy here even though I tell it not to which disables my ability to use yahoo and gmail. I have tried every available solution posted on their forums....no dice.

On Firefox and Konqueror from here no problems at all

However I do like the interface, speed, simplicity and other integrated features that do not require extensions. (In fact Im typing this now in Opera 8.51)

For now I am sticking with Firefox for gmail and yahoo at least while I'm here at work or until I can figure out how to fix this

[thetza]

I was about to complain that Opera didn't have a freebsd native binary, but it appears they do now. good for them. I've tried it and I'm not sure I like the MDI, but overall its very slick. Still, I'm not going to run proprietary software for something as basic as web browsing

[Jza]

FreeBSD was supported since version 7 AFAIK.

[no1important]

If showmanship alone could win the Web browser wars, Jon von Tetzchner's Opera Software would have a serious advantage.

The Opera chief executive arrived dramatically by boat on Lake Union, and later donned a Viking helmet at the request of a blogger, as the company from Oslo, Norway, launched its new Web browser Tuesday in rival Microsoft's backyard.

The release of Opera 9 is the company's latest effort to gain market share against Microsoft's dominant Internet Explorer for desktop PCs. In that regard, the Firefox browser has made more headway the past two years.

Some market studies have put Firefox's market share above 10 percent worldwide, and Opera's share below 1 percent.

"We have seen how Firefox has managed to grow in a very short time. That's an inspiration to us," Tetzchner said in an interview at the launch event. "They had no progress for years, and suddenly they had progress."

Opera has sought to differentiate itself on the technological front. For example, the new browser incorporates BitTorrent, file-sharing software that has drawn fire for enabling fast distribution of pirated materials, but has been embraced by some companies for legal downloads.

BitTorrent inventor Bram Cohen said at the Opera that his company has been talking with people at Microsoft, but it's not clear whether the Redmond company would similarly include the BitTorrent software in Windows or Internet Explorer.

"On a purely technical level, that's a no-brainer -- obviously it should be," Cohen said. "As far as what Microsoft will say about that, it's a little hard to say."

In another respect, Opera 9 shows how Web browsers are replacing some of the functions of operating systems by serving as platforms for small programs. Opera has special-purpose "widgets" that run on top of the browser. Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista operating system offers similar "gadgets," and Apple's OS X has widgets.

Features aside, the primary improvement in the Opera 9 browser is improved compatibility with different types of Web sites, said Daniel Goldman of Baltimore, who runs the Opera Watch online site.

"Previous versions of Opera have had problems with site compatibility, and Opera 9 has fixed a lot of those problems, which is probably the biggest advantage," Goldman said.

Apart from its PC-based browsers, Opera offers browsers for mobile devices, and it has made deals to provide browsers for Nintendo's DS game device and its upcoming Wii console.

I really love Opera, it is sure fast. Ilike the Wand feature and the spell checker and how you can get it to check one word instead of the whole post like Konqueror. I have not tried Oper 9 Beta yet, maybe I should?

I have not used Firefox since the New Year but I still use Mozilla Suite and Konqueror on occasion. But each has its own pro's and cons.

You can read the rest here