OPera talk

[misled_youth]

The good:

1. Opera is now FREE!

2. Firefox OSS community has not caught up with all the cool functions of Opera

3. The embedded chat + email function works perfectly.

The bad:

1. Gmail not fully compatible

2. Crap loads of sites, although just 5% of the total websites, are still incompatible with Opera.

Trivia:

One percent of the internet community uses Opera

---

Personally, I use Firefox for the past week already. It actually seems a lot faster than Opera. I don't know why.

[Thirdshifter]

I liked opera better.. until they started advertising.

[misled_youth]

I liked opera better.. until they started advertising.

It has become completely free since the last couple of months.

[kakumei]

I thought Opera was always free.

I'm still with Firefox! Firefox rules! Firefox has all the extension and skins. It is still expandable and the best is, it is damn-fast!

Opera don't work well on my computer. It's obviously slower compared to 'my' firefox. But I realise that the main problem of Firefox and Opera is their compactibility with most websites...

I don't quite like the Opera interface. I still prefer Firefox! Everyone should use Firefox. Haha...

[weich]

everything's customisable under opera man...i don't understand all these firefox fanboys, if you don't take time to learn the product, you just can't claim that the one you use is better...if your's a windows comp, opera should be faster....firefox is only faster on linux but not on mine.

Watch out - opera 9 should blow firefox out of the picture!

Read this:

http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/browserSpeed.html

[kakumei]

@<hidden>,

Okay okay, you win. The stats should be the best prove. Haha. But still i'll stick to Firefox on my current computer. Maybe I'll give a try on Opera9 when it's out...on my new computer! Yay...just have to wait few more days... :wink:

[youngyew]

Haha, I think both Opera and Firefox are excellent, should we really argue about which's better?

For me, I have been an avid Firefox user and evangelist for more than one year. I simply can't live without it - whenever I use a new computer without firefox, the first thing I do is to install firefox and my default set of extensions. :P

I tried out Opera for a few days when it became free 2 months ago. At the first glimpse, it was quite cool: good interface, full tab-browsing support, inbuilt mouse gestures and a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts. I have to concur that the Opera does come with a lot of features out of the box, unlike Firefox where we have to spend a good deal of time finding extensions for the very same features. Apart from that, there is this messy part of "extension maintenance", where the extensions break virtually every FF minor update. This is where Opera is better than Firefox.

However, the bountiful features and keyboard shortcuts by Opera could be one of its weak points as well - it confuses people quite easily. To me, many of its features and keyboard shortcuts aren't intuitive in design. I have to spend quite a lot of time to be acquainted with the features.. The new tab is Ctrl-N instead of Ctrl-T, to name a few. (I know that I can change the keyboard shortcuts, but it would require some extra fine-tuning) I know it could my own bias, since I have been using Firefox for a long time and got very used to it, but still, in comparison, I didn't face the same problem when I switched from IE to Firefox.

The other point is that Firefox leaks memory quite easily... it will invariably take up more than one hundred MB, slowing ur computer to halt. It's always advisable to restart the whole program every few hours of usage.

All in all, both browsers are good but have some weak points. Try both and see which one you like best. :D

[Thirdshifter]

I'll stick with the good ol (or crappy) IE.

[Thirdshifter]

Just an update.. thanks misled, I re-downloaded Opera and Damn.. firefox felt like shit. I immidiately unnistalled firefox and came to recom to thank you.

Opera rules!

[kakumei]

It's not I'm against Opera right now, but see this:

http://pack.google.com/

Even Google recommends FIREFOX! So, Firefox rules!

Moreover, you can get the superb ad-block extension for Firefox. It will block all the ads automatically. You can even get an extension to update the latest blockable ads list! This should reduce all the loading time...

[weich]

that's cause they are integrating the google toolbar, etc in it...so that they can collect more data about you man....

read this to see all the bad things google is doing to us and how it'll become the next microsoft where everyone hates!

http://www.google-watch.org/

anyway, no point debating about this...'cos everyone's opinions are different.

opera introduced me to mouse gestures, nicknames for bookmarks, integrated rss reader, chat and mail and it's not a resource hog! in fact many of firefox plugins are copies of opera's features!

read this 30 day guide about opera to know more about opera and how to use it better:

http://operalover.tntluoma.com/day_1_general_preferences

[Thirdshifter]

To compare Firefox, Opera and IE. I did a simple test. A very practical test.

I closed all aplication except the firewall and the Task Manager (ctrl+alt+del) to the see Memory Usage while doing this test.

I opened firefox, with no extension what so ever and a blank page, the memory is at 19K, I typed Opera in the firefox built in search toolbar and hit search. The memory went up to 25K. I clicked on Opera.com, the memory was now at 26. I click download opera now.. the memory jumps to 35K. Test end.

IE, Opened, 18K, Search opera on google toolbar goes up to 26K, open opera homepage still 26-ish, hit download surge to 28k and test over.

Opera, Opened 4K, Search opera in the bilt in toolbar, 7 K. Hit download 11 K.

Opera simply wins hands down. I'm like damn my computer feels a lot faster.

To those who use firefox, please try opera for 2 minutes.and feel the difference as Opera is truly still the fastest browser on the net.

[masdie]

I used to use Opera before Firefox became popular. It worked perfect for me then. I tried Opera8 yesterday. It just didn't feel right anymore. Firefox is still my cup of tea.

PS: I've just upgraded to Firefox 1.5!

[Thirdshifter]

you should try opera 8.51

I was using firefox 1.5 for the comparison.

[misled_youth]

The reason why Google recommends Firefox is because its more compatible.

E.g. Opera is not 100% compatible with Gmail. Opera in fact, not compatible with quite a few IE specific websites, including my company's.

Thus, I am now using Firefox, but its completely modified to behave like Opera (save the Email client which I so love).

Opera is the innovator. often immitated, never duplicated.

[youngyew]

Yea, in terms of memory resource and innovation, Opera is undoubtedly the best.

Anyway, although Google Pack comes with Firefox but not Opera, it's been noticed by some geeks that "the best internet browser" in Google Search has changed from the link to Firefox, to the link to Opera. Haha, interesting huh?

The change has been observed a few days after Opera's long term deal with Google, that has made Opera ad-free in exchange with Google's default place on Opera search bar.

[pandaboy]

I dont know why but firefox is still faster than opera on my computer... in terms of loading webpages...

Btw, as you guys are arguing which is better, I'm happily using both... Well, firefox is still my primary browser though...just got too used to it.

[ToietMoi]

I dont know why but firefox is still faster than opera on my computer... in terms of loading webpages...
.

Same thing with me here...

[misled_youth]

I dont know why but firefox is still faster than opera on my computer... in terms of loading webpages...

Agreed. But I use both. Coz I love Opera Email client.

Some sites still need Firefox.

But the bottomline is - I can almost boycott IE, except when I use live365.com

[el_empty]

I dont know why but firefox is still faster than opera on my computer... in terms of loading webpages...

Agreed. But I use both. Coz I love Opera Email client.

Some sites still need Firefox.

But the bottomline is - I can almost boycott IE, except when I use live365.com

but live365 works fine for me on ff. what's the problem you've experienced?

[kakumei]

Okay Okay,

Opera is really fast. Too obvious.

Sorry, firefox...you lose big time.

[youngyew]

Okay Okay,

Opera is really fast. Too obvious.

Sorry, firefox...you lose big time.
Firefox is slow when you have tons of extensions and bloating themes installed. And also session saver.

[vseehua]

hehe....just my 2 cents..i'll stick with firefox for this time being..cz the darned opera caused my com to hang whenever i tried to download a super large file : read windowsxp service pack 2...apparently, the pre-loading mechanism used up too much processor power, or so i guess...i reverted back to firefox and that never happened..and my firefox still feels like the same speed as opera, minus the quirks among many sites...

firefox do need to be tweaked b4 it's fast..recommended extension ;

fasterfox
adblock
gset adblock updater
fireftp
mouse gestures
foxytunes
download statusbar

[misled_youth]

Opera 9 is out with full Gmail support including rich text formatting and GoogleChat support.

[KaiBoon]

I used Opera before but after my friend recommend me to try on firefox. I love firefox. As, it performs smoothly. Haha... firefox is better!!

[vseehua]

try flock at www.flock.com ... i had been using it as my main browser for a few days already... and i like it... :P

[qedx]

any idea how to disable opera's bittorrent thingy? i want my torrents to go straight to utorrent like it always has :(

[weich]

try this, comes with screenshots as well:

http://boringest.blogasian.com/2006/06/24/step-by-step-method-to-disable-bittorrent-in-opera/

[qedx]

nice! thanks

UPDATE: (6/26)
I've been using opera for the last couple of days and I like it. It was a surprise actually lol. Yahoo Mail beta doesn't work with it though :(

[MyBoy]

I liked opera better.. until they started advertising.
I liked Firefox better. Using it since beta.

[youngyew]

In terms of built-in features, Opera beat Firefox hands down... and you wouldn't believe how slow Firefox performs in java script compared to Opera.. You can see this page (http://celtickane.com/projects/jsspeed.php) and try it by yourself. Besides, try to open multiple tabs of Digg pages, and the difference is very noticeable. Firefox slows down significantly when I have 4 or 5 digg pages, but it doesn't happen to Opera at all.

Besides, in terms of browsing speed, Opera is definitely faster. Yes, I am an avid Firefox user and even a Firefox "evangelist", but I can't deny this fact.

However, I would say that the extensions of Firefox are both its biggest advantage and disadvantage. When I use Opera, I find myself missing so many of my extensions like Forecast Fox, IE view, Performancing etc, and none of these can be replaced easily in Opera. However, it's these extensions that have caused a massive slow-down in the performance of Firefox...

So for me, both browsers have their stronger and weaker areas... If I were to give my advice, if you are the kind of user who care mainly about the browsing experience, Opera is better for you. But if you like those bells and whistles and you have quite a lot of RAM memory to spare, and you don't mind some slower performance, Firefox is still a very decent software.

[vseehua]

haha...i had opened arnd 20 tabs in firefox everytime...all kinda of tech sites utilizing java scripts... and no, my firefox don't slow down at all...

nah, i don't miss the speed...opera may be faster, but i won't ever drop the adblock extention...my advice is, minimize the amount of extentions used, to the absolute barebones when you don't need the bells and whistles, and firefox will serve you well...

so far my copy of firefox 2 beta 2 is only using arnd 70m of ram, a good score actually... down from the 100m++ in firefox 1.5 maybe it's due the the fact that tab mix plus isn't install anymore...

*note: for those who still want to use tab mix plus with firefox 2.0, you are try the development builds here (http://tmp.garyr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2582)

[youngyew]

haha...i had opened arnd 20 tabs in firefox everytime...all kinda of tech sites utilizing java scripts... and no, my firefox don't slow down at all...

nah, i don't miss the speed...opera may be faster, but i won't ever drop the adblock extention...my advice is, minimize the amount of extentions used, to the absolute barebones when you don't need the bells and whistles, and firefox will serve you well...

so far my copy of firefox 2 beta 2 is only using arnd 70m of ram, a good score actually... down from the 100m++ in firefox 1.5 maybe it's due the the fact that tab mix plus isn't install anymore...

*note: for those who still want to use tab mix plus with firefox 2.0, you are try the development builds here (http://tmp.garyr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2582)
You tried digg pages? Yea, the slowing is not felt most of the time, but with many digg pages with lots of comments, I can feel the difference. And have you tried out that java script speed test page?

I would say I like the bells and whistles more than the speed. It doesn't matter much anyway, with my not-so-super-fast internet speed. :P

[vseehua]

hmm...the test showed responce time in the range of 1400++ milisecs... not significant enough for me anyway...

anyway, opera still shows incompatibilities with some of my most visited pages: gmail, blogger, and most other ajax bases sites. They might be the most standards based browser around, but they aren't the most compatible one. Firefox takes the crown here...

[youngyew]

hmm...the test showed responce time in the range of 1400++ milisecs... not significant enough for me anyway...

anyway, opera still shows incompatibilities with some of my most visited pages: gmail, blogger, and most other ajax bases sites. They might be the most standards based browser around, but they aren't the most compatible one. Firefox takes the crown here...
What does your Opera score in that particular test? That page is only meaningful if you do the same test on the same machine with both browsers. Raw score of one particular browser doesn't mean anything. But I think you do have a pretty fast machine there... Firefox 2 score 2700ms in my machine, compared to Opera's 700ms.

I am not trying to say Firefox is bad at all, being an avid fan myself. I still do use more Firefox 2 instead of Opera 9.01 for my daily browsing, due to reasons like ajax compatibility (as you said above, Opera is incompatible with Yahoo mail), incorrect site rendering, extensions etc.

I am only trying to say, when you compare only the browsing speed and built-in features, Opera is better. The speed difference may be insignificant, probably for a high-performance machine you have got there; but for my laptop or my school's sluggish computer, Opera does perform faster when it comes to java script and multiple tab browsing. Yes, for your well-maintained computer the difference might not be noticed at all, but for many other computers in this world, Opera would perform faster.

[misled_youth]

Opera has an answer for "extensions" - WIDGETS.

Try it!

[youngyew]

Opera has an answer for "extensions" - WIDGETS.

Try it!
Yeah, but widgets can't do a lot of what extensions can do.. things like adblock, bbcode, gmail skin etc.

[misled_youth]

have to wait loh... what to do... takes time for more new widgets to come out.

Don't forget, Opera has a less-than-1-percent share of the browser market.

Opera Mini might be the leader in handheld/3G phone browsing.

[vseehua]

hmm...adblock for opera do exist, although i had a hard time trying to make it work and it still doesn't work as yet...

and fyi, those widgets caused my opera to consume memory for breakfast...wow...

nah, i don't need those fancy stuffs anyway. If you are really desperate, there is always konfabulator (http://widgets.yahoo.com/), now known as yahoo widgets... and yes, it runs independantly from opera... =p

[youngyew]

hmm...adblock for opera do exist, although i had a hard time trying to make it work and it still doesn't work as yet...

and fyi, those widgets caused my opera to consume memory for breakfast...wow...

nah, i don't need those fancy stuffs anyway. If you are really desperate, there is always konfabulator (http://widgets.yahoo.com/), now known as yahoo widgets... and yes, it runs independantly from opera... =p
I looked it up on the Internet when I tried out Opera, but I found out that the best Opera can do is only the "content blocking" feature.. It's similar to the primitive "block content" in Firefox, and it can only filter advertisement according to simple wildcard (instead of regular expression which is what makes adblock so powerful in Firefox).

However, rumour has it that Opera is going to have adblock-like feature in the future version.

Anyway, how does konfabulator compare to google gadgets? I like some of the google gadgets, but I deleted most of them anyway because of the memory.

[vseehua]

hmm... that is going to be one big killer feature in the works for opera if that is true.

Konfabulator is the company that first introduced widgets to Macs, up until Apple copied everything from them.

They were later bought by yahoo and offered as freewares, so you can say that they are the grandaddys of widgets...

i don't really know how they will fare against google, since i had never used widgets seriously myself, but it's worth a try. And i think they have the most widgets as of now...