New Version Free Opera Brower is Cool!

cobalt,
I have heard that it doesn't bring in all sites, before.
Now, that problem is solved.
I might try it out, when I get a bigger HD.
SOON.

Cobalt

Thanks for the info on Opera. Before seeing this topic I had never heard of it. It sounds good. Maybe I'll switch although I wonder if MSN.com, which I am currently *stuck with, is compatible.
I guess I have some homework to do on this.





* I'm 'indentured to MSN because I took the bait -ie. a $400 rebate on my last computer in exchange for a 3 yr. agreement.
Fortunately I only have a few months remaining on my sentence.
Maybe I can get Microsoft to give me time off for good behavior!

you are funny, jjorge! I feel like I know you a bit, since you met my fellow Crone Patty not long ago!

I have IE and Opera both on my PC right now. I ditched Netscape about two months ago, since Netscape and Windows ME never did solve the glitch about ME not being able to install Netscape. (What a monumental gaff!)

I am still playing around with both browsers. For speed, and basic searches, Opera, hands down is a speed demon! Wow! I have a cable modem and I would never have thought that there could be such a difference! Both the Opera browser and the MyWay.com portal are featuring monitor/status bars that tell you every second it takes for the page to come in. Most pages I am getting in less than 10 seconds. Some, take only 2 or 3 seconds!

Another thing nice on Opera, the bookmarks import straight from your IE Favorites off the File menu. Mine were imported in about 8 seconds - and I have maybe a thousand there! The file folders Opera already has set up for you do include some great sites. For instance, the Science Folder Opera provides has direct links to Geographic, Discover, New Scientist, etc.!

I have only run into one possible issue - on the 'secure' sites I use for some financial transactions, to me it looks like I will have to set up my own new "cookies" with Opera. I can get into the sites as usual, but to make a transfer or pay a bill in Opera, there is a hang up. I am just sure it needs to be online enough with me to develop any needed 'cookies'.

Today I couldn't get into abuzz through Opera - will have to check to see if I am going to have to have that NYTimes cookie set for me in Opera, as it is in IE.

Will keep you and others interested posted.

BTW I don't recommend that basic computer users try to change their default browser. Not saying anyone here's basic but just a warning.

But I agree with cobalt. Opera is a very fast browser. I hate it with a passion for reasons too technical to go into right now but it's the lightest browser of the big players.

Craven - would the picky picky need for "proper" html or other code be one of the reasons you aren't thrilled? I do love Opera, but used in very particular ways for my Net experience. For instance, I haven't got the 'cookies' set up so I can do some of my secure site transactions.

On your comment about 'default' browser - I put the Opera ON MY DESKTOP as I would recommend for any user. I did not and would not "make Opera my default browser" as all browsers like to pop up in a window and nudge you....

This means that when I log on, I choose each time whether to use IE or Opera. I did not even make IE a defaul browser- I like the 'control' of deciding each time.

What bothers me about opera (I explained a bit about this on another thread) is the fact that there is no such thing as proper syntax.

There are established guidelines (by the WCC) but since neither IE or Netscape follow them it's dumb to code for them and better to write code that will work on IE.

Opera doesn't follow them very well either and worse yet they are terrible at "degrading gracefully". It's a good broswer, but it's also just one more buggy browser to code for.

I agree with you Craven! I would always want to code for IE and monitors at 800 x 600 and use the standard universal hex color codes.

I found an interesting tidbit about the Preferences options in the File section of Opera: you can 'select' what you wish your browser to register as when you access any site! I think maybe it is because Opera programming is well aware of the areas it is not as "up to speed" as other browsers. Interestingly, this new 6.05 version I have (ther freebie) only goes to IE 5.0, not 5.5 like I have. And there is no 6.0. I think that Netscape is also an older version listed. Mozilla is listed even. Hmmmmmm, my brain is working overtime to come up with reasons I may want to 'switch around' or not when using Opera....

Like Craven says "KIDS! Don't do this at home...." LOL

(Oh heck, he didn't really say that)
I would not recommend that users who are relatively new to the Net and computers use Opera. Too fast! AND, to use it in a most positive way, it is a great tool for the right endeavor - meaning, you must be fairly experienced to get the most out of having it as an accessory browser.

BTW I always code for ALL brower/OS mixes that are popularly used. I don't just code for IE but that's the easiest thing to do.

This site lost some features because I had to think about the Opera users and that's one reason I don't like new players in the browser war. There was a neat fade link effect that I was using that Opera coudn't parse so it had to go.

Well,
You folks have convinced THIS computer novice to hold off on Opera.

Cobalt
re your post of 10/3002 7:15 pm:

I'll take crones to be my cronies anytime.

thank you

opera is a great browser. i don't use it anymore.

the thing that is best about it is how easy it is to zoom in and out, pictures and layout included. i forget which two keys it is, but maybe 0 and minus. it also has an autorefresh which is great.

there are lots of cool things about opera. unfortunately, it used to crash when i used it at the same time as certain apps, and i came to like foss alternatives more and more. if opera goes foss, i'll be sure to give it another try.

i'm pretty happy without it, but for a while i really missed opera. people should try it, particularly as an alternative (i never said replacement for default) to internet explorer.