Encore! (Opera Web Browser)

Member Name:

Product:	Opera Web Browser
Date:	09/07/02 (182 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Needs Little System Resources, Features, Speed

Disadvantages: Some Websites Not Compatible

What Is It?

Opera is a browser similar to the likes of Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, the difference being that this piece of Software preaches to be the fastest browser on Earth.

Where Can I Get It?

Opera is available on the CNET website (I can't give the website address due to Dooyoo Legislation) and this gives you the option to download a trial period download. Although this does not have the full functionality of the program, the trial-ware version allows the user to experience the speed of the browser and just what it is all about. To register your piece of Software, after experiencing no problems of course, simply have your credit card ready. When registered, the ads at the top of the browser are removed and the speed is of course increased as a result.

Installation

The download is only 3MB and is in the form of a self-unzipping file. The installation shall ask you to restart your browser and will place an icon on your desktop. Once this is complete you will have the option to make Opera your default browser although I don't recommend this just encase there are any complication with your version of Windows.

Navigation

Unlike Internet Explorer, Opera acts like a program which has windows inside it so rather that separate windows coming up as new programs, Opera treats them as blank pieces of paper which you write on by going to a website. Once inside the program, the actual lay out is very similar to that of Internet Explorer and there should be no reason for you to have to go and read up on how to use the different because they are pretty self-explanatory.

Proxy Servers

Don't worry if you like to use proxy servers, even if they are anonymous, Opera will compensate, simply enter their details into its database and it will take care of the rest.

Privacy

Opera unlike any other browser I have experienced allows the user to block those annoying
pop up windows, so you no longer have to tolerate waiting for adverts your not interested in to load just to close them immediately. The downside of this is that sometimes this removes the functionality of some websites, which relies on pop up windows to function properly.

Opera also gives the user the ability to block cookies but this can become very hazardous especially when trying to log into websites, which rely on cookies to properly operate such as the famous Hotmail Email Service. So indeed there are downturns to this privacy feature.

In addition to all this, when closing Opera, the browser cache and your entire history documents using Opera are deleted so you have that extra bit of security and freshness which Internet Explorer just doesn't offer.

Security

Opera has inbuilt security protocols:
-SSL 2
-SSL 3
-TLS 1

Even if you don't know what this means, just rest assured that you are in good hands.

Aesthetics

The main colours of the program are red and black. This gives a breath of fresh air from the monotonous blue and grey of Internet Explorer

What About The Speed Claim?

Well, basically I found that for dial up connections there was a huge difference, pages were loading faster and without the typical adverts so even more efficiently. In addition there is a clock at the bottom of the browser, which tells you how long you have waited for a certain page to load. Using Opera I never had to wait longer than 8 seconds using a dial up 56k modem for a website to load. In saying this, I now use broadband and the speed question is not an issue anymore because you really can't tell the difference. However I still use Opera because of its other features.

Unique Features - Search

Again, Opera gets one over Internet Explorer when it comes to convenience. The software allows users to view a small search field which they can choose to be powered by a
range of top end search engines such as Google, Ebay and Lycos to name a few. Instead of having to load a new page, simply type your search in the box and click Search when you're ready.

Unique Features - Zoom

Even been on a site where the writing is huge and you wish you could decrease its size to fit more on the page. Well, Internet Explorer can do this, for text only though and the landmarks aren't very distinctive ranging from Very Small To Very Big. Opera allows the shrinkage of the entire page including the pictures and the landmarks are in %, this gives a much more precise reading.

Unique Features-Download Manager

With Opera, there is no need to have a piece of spy-ware on your desktop just to manage your downloads; no because with Opera's inbuilt download manager, users have the ability to manage their downloads themselves. Resume, Pause, and Cancel - whatever you want to do.

Problems

Like mentioned before - there are certain sites which are built specifically for Internet Explorer or Netscape use, so you may find that not all items on the site load but this is mainly just a few pictures and really should make a difference. In saying this, Opera supports such things, as Javascipts, Embedded Audio and Referrer Logging so there really shouldn't be any major problems.

Plug-Ins

Opera does support plug-ins, however there is a big problem when actually trying to install them. You may have to rename or even copy and paste files. It's really not worth all the trouble.

Help

Opera has a website which offers full online support for anyone who is having problems especially with the plug-ins mentioned above.

How Customisable Is It?

The Browser interface is fully customisable, not only the default colour but also the features that one can view and also their position on the screen. I have customised mine twice and have had no problems what so eve
r.

Conclusion

Opera is a must have for users of Dial Up Connections who find themselves starring for long periods of time at the screen waiting for pages to load. At least with Opera, even if you don't believe it to be faster, you know just how long you've been waiting.

For users of Cable Modem or Broadband, I would also recommend Opera, but not just because of the speed factor and the lower system resource usage but also because its different, after years of using IE, Opera is a breath of fresh air!

Summary: