Version 7 (despite the v 3.1 pic) (Opera Web Browser)

Member Name: andersonmarske

Product:	Opera Web Browser
Date:	22/01/05 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Better and safer than I.E, Fab features

Disadvantages: Compatibility, Ad-supported

###Intro###

Opera is an internet suite, with mail, news and web browsing facilities. Though, it's mainly a web browser.

95%(according to a recent study) of web users, use Microsoft's insecure Internet Explorer.

Opera's been around for years, but it's only starting to attract users.

Note, I'm using the non-paid version.

###Apps###

Okay,technically it's all one program(exe) but it's actually a package of tools, including:

*Notes
*Email
*RSS Reader
*News Client
*Chat Client
*Web Browser (of course).

Sounds a little like Netscape and Mozilla 1.72, but it has a nicer interface, and is easily skinable.

###Web Browsing Features###

It has all the usual, bookmarks, history, download tool etc. But has a few better features, listed below:

*Tabbed Browsing(have many pages open in the same window)
*Pop-Up blocking
*A great password manager
*Search box(allowing you to search Google, Download.com, Amazon.COM and eBay.COM amongst a few others.
*It also has a feature that allows you to save a 'session' so you can jump back to exactly the same tabs later on.

###Okay, the specs are over so I'll tell you a little more about it###

Unfortuantly, as most web users either use I.E, Netscape or Firefox, and only 10 million(worldwide) use Opera, it's not widely supported. Though it works with most websites fine, it doesn't work with Firstdirect or Gmail and a few more.

Still it's easily usable.

Opera, unlike Mozilla, is commercial, and unless you pay, it comes with ads at the top of the window. At least you get a choice between Google Adwords or a random banner ad!

The mail client only supports plain text email, which is a little bit of a downside, saying most email is HTML formatted. Oh, and it doesn't even have a intergrated spell checker(you have to download it extra)

The news client though is as good as Outlook Express's.

The note software is simple, but does it's job, and intergrates with email.

###For non-Windows users###

Opera also works on:

Mac
Linux(most types)
FreeBSD
Solaris Sparc
OS/2(v. 5.12 only)
QNX9(v. 5.2.1 only)
And a special version on various smartphones.

###Graphic Designers###

Opera is probably one of the easiest programs to skin, it even comes with a tutorial.

###Support###

Though I've never needed to use it, the FAQ's look good, but all help files are web-based.

###Conclusion###

Even if your still in doubt, check it out. You'll love it!

Summary: