OK, here is my review to Opera 9.5 (from an FF user view).
- Installation
Installation went fine.
No excessive question during the installation.
Smooth... too smooth, I say... as Opera silently import all of my FF bookmarks (not from IE!!)
Perhaps because Opera think FF is my default browser?
I realize this behavior, when I try to type in the address bar, and all of my bookmarks starting to roll (like in FF3).
Scary behavior... Nothing's wrong, just scary.
Hmm... a browser that has it's own mind, and decide what to do, without a single warning...
- Speed
Opera is known for it's speed in rendering a website.
In this release, I can confirm to all of you, that it's still hold true to it's own name and reputation.
But somehow... there is some strange gap before Opera's showing a website fully.
I found out that this behavior called "Redraw" behavior in Opera (correct me if I'm wrong).
...I don't know why (in the first place) this options enabled by default (Redraw after 1 second), but it sure is annoying. ...though, changing this option to "Redraw instantly" does not kill the gap when I try to load Gamespot.com...
- Design & Appearance
Yes, Opera now sports a sleek design.
It comes in a finely tune black gloss like Vista's style.
Not too shiny, but cool.
Everything's seems to be in place, except for the "Tab Bar" that somehow get's placed on the top of everything else, which is rather annoying when you don't have anything 'tabbed' and yet, there it is...
...even though, if we think about the 'easy to use' point, this persistent "Tab Bar" will indeed draw attention to a new Opera user... but I seriously doubt that! ...since Opera = experience user.
...or perhaps, it shows how much the developer's want to attract new comers?
Anyway, it's still a matter of taste... I just don't like it that way.
It's too big to be persistent, in my opinion.
- Usage
Opera is pretty simple and quite easy to use.
Even if you're a new comer. You can just jump in, and start browsing.
But when it comes to the preferences arrangement... (
)
...the triple question marks simply describe my reaction when I venture to the preferences department.
There's a lot of weird analogy going on inside Opera Dev.'s mind, I say.
Like; instead of "Delete all cookies when the browser exit" it's goes like this: "Delete new cookies when exiting Opera".
...and then I goes like; "huh!? ...what? ...so it can delete cookies, but only if it's new?"
...and after 3 times restarting Opera, I finally figure it out....
What a weirdo team would make (yes, MAKE or INSIST! not asking) they're users to venture that far away just to figure out how to completely block the cookies?
...perhaps it's just me... but the last time I check with my friend (an IE7 user. Yes, I make him installed Opera), he too had a problem about these weird preferences words and meanings.
- Function
By default, Opera doesn't have internal dictionary/spell check function (correct me if I'm wrong).
So international users depends on a good spell checker will have to find it the hard way, how to enable this function in Opera by themselves.
While it has a pop-up blocker, and session saver.
It still lacking the ability to save and display "Live Bookmarks" properly, but display any 'feeds' fine in a good old school window.
-
Result in my opinionIf you seek a web browser with killer performance, this is it.
But if you're a new comer, or switching from FF, you need to spare some time with this slick browser.
...if you're an FF user, this one is quite powerful, but lack a lot of extra functionality due to the awkward widget Opera community has...
You can do your everyday task with this browser, but will lose any extra point you love from FF; like synchronize Bookmarks over the internet, disabling website scripts, leeching/by passing Megaupload download limit, etc...
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