Browser Innovations Started by Opera(geektechnica.com)
geektechnica.com
Browser Innovations Started by Opera
http://www.geektechnica.com/2009/06/8-browser-innovations-started-by-opera/
6 comments
In response to the opener on why he doesn't understand Opera's low market share: To me, it's the odd and sometimes clunky interface.
The initial impression is important and when I load up Opera for the first time (Version 9.x) it's not as pleasant as say Firefox, Safari, or Chrome. I don't know, it just lacks a certain visual flair.
To be honest, due to this I have never given Opera a really good chance. I know Opera has some great features, but I can't get past that initial hurdle. I downloaded Opera 10 beta just now to give it another go though.
The initial impression is important and when I load up Opera for the first time (Version 9.x) it's not as pleasant as say Firefox, Safari, or Chrome. I don't know, it just lacks a certain visual flair.
To be honest, due to this I have never given Opera a really good chance. I know Opera has some great features, but I can't get past that initial hurdle. I downloaded Opera 10 beta just now to give it another go though.
> I don't know, it just lacks a certain visual flair.
I'd say it's mostly familiarity. It's the same reason that keeps me from giving FF a fair try[1]. It just doesn't feel the same as Opera does.
[1] Well, that and my rather awful experiences in the past with it.
I'd say it's mostly familiarity. It's the same reason that keeps me from giving FF a fair try[1]. It just doesn't feel the same as Opera does.
[1] Well, that and my rather awful experiences in the past with it.
The barrier for me used to be that it wasn't free. A few friends were using it but I thought (I still do) that having to pay for a browser was at least.. dumb. After it went free I didn't give it much thought until one day I just decided to try it.
My belief is that when the market had less competition opera screwed up by not changing it's revenue model soon enough. If they kept the same course today they would be extinct. Luckily for them they managed to dodge that but now they are up against far more well established competitors. IE and Safari, backed up by the OS, Firefox, both OSS and numerous plugins for the end user, and Chrome with Google's brand recognition and power behind it.
Tough spot.
This article overlooks a favorite feature of mine which I have not seen on other browsers: quickly accessible site-specfic preferences.
And now only Opera still has this feature working properly! Seriously, no other webbrowser scales tables, images and videos properly like Opera. A relevant feature if you use a 30" monitor.