Opera (Internet suite)

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Opera
Opera 9.10 running on FreeBSD showing the Wikipedia main page
Maintainer:	Opera Software
Stable release:	9.10  (December 18, 2006) [+/-]
Preview release:	9.20 beta (build 8769)  (April 3, 2007) [+/-]
OS:	Cross-platform
Use:	Internet suite
License:	Proprietary
Website:	Opera.com

Opera is a cross-platform web browser and Internet suite which handles common internet-related tasks including visiting web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting online and displaying Widgets. Opera's lightweight mobile web browser Opera Mini and most current versions of its desktop application are offered free of charge.

Opera is proprietary software developed by Opera Software based in Oslo, Norway. It runs on a variety of operating systems including many versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris. It is also used in mobile phones, smartphones, Personal Digital Assistants, game consoles and interactive televisions. Technology from Opera is also licensed by other companies for use in such products as Adobe Creative Suite.

Contents 1 History 2 Future development 2.1 Merlin 2.1.1 Speed Dial Browsing 2.2 Kestrel 2.3 Peregrine 2.4 CSS3 Support 3 Features 3.1 Usability, Accessibility 3.2 Download manager 3.3 Extensions 3.4 MDI and Tabs 3.5 Notes 3.6 Pop-up blocking 3.7 Privacy control 3.8 Search facilities 3.9 Sessions 3.10 Standards 3.11 Trash can 3.12 User defined themes 3.13 New features in Opera 9 3.13.1 Technologies implemented/improved 4 Opera for devices 4.1 Smartphones & PDAs 4.2 Mobile phones 4.3 Nintendo DS 4.4 Nintendo Wii 4.5 Sony mylo 4.6 Main Opera powered devices 4.6.1 External 5 Compatibility 6 Market adoption 6.1 Usage share 7 Versions 7.1 Latest release versions 7.2 Preview versions 7.3 Weekly versions 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links 11.1 Official sites

[edit] History

Main article: History of the Opera Internet suite

Opera began in 1994 as a research project at Telenor, the largest Norwegian telecommunications company. In 1995 it branched out into an independent company named Opera Software ASA.^[1]

With version 2.0 the first public release was made in 1996. Due to popular demand version 3.0 was released for multiple operating systems in the end of 1997.

Opera version 5.0 became ad-sponsored instead of having a trial period. With version 8.5 the ad-banner was removed and the browser also stayed free of charge.

In the latest stable version 9.1 Opera Software ASA introduced a fraud protection by Geotrust and Phishtank. ^[2]

[edit] Future development

This article or section contains information about scheduled or expected future software. The content may change dramatically as the software release approaches and more information becomes available.

Opera 10 will be based on a cross-platform experience which will allow the user to begin reading a web page on the desktop, then continue on a mobile phone or PDA. Opera 10 will also include tools that will provide a platform for developers based on open standards. ^[3] The future of Opera is lying on three different code bases, named “Merlin”, “Kestrel”, and “Peregrine”^[4]

[edit] Merlin

Merlin is the current code base used for version 9.0, 9.1 and will be used for 9.2. It will see only minor feature improvements (one announced for 9.2 which, according to the Opera developers, hasn’t been included in desktop browsers so far) and mostly bugfixes. After 9.2, it will no longer be used. Major improvements such as rendering improvements are not planned for the Merlin code base. A Merlin build with the new Speed Dial Browsing feature was released on 28 February 2007. In that same build Opera introduced support for animated gifs in skins^[5].

[edit] Speed Dial Browsing

Opera 9.20 will have "Speed Dial Browsing". The "Blank Page" when a new tab is opened will be replaced with a page with nine slots which the user can set to contain a webpage. This feature is based on the speed dial browsing in Opera Mini^[6].

[edit] Kestrel

Kestrel will be the code base closing the gap between Merlin and Peregrine. It will see some of the rendering improvements due to be made in Peregrine, and will also head to connect the Opera versions on different systems. It is neither clear right now if new functionality will be added with Kestrel, nor when first “Kestrel” builds will head to the public. As Peregrine builds are to be released in 2007, Kestrel builds will most probably be seen before Peregrine builds.

[edit] Peregrine

Peregrine is the code base which will see the most improvements. It will have new features, new rendering improvements, bug fixes and perhaps a new GUI. First builds are to be released in 2007. Peregrine will likely be named Opera 10.

[edit] CSS3 Support

David Storey, the chief Web Opener at Opera Software, has announced development of CSS3 support in upcoming releases.^[7] A major focus will be on CSS selectors, or how HTML tags behave depending on hierarchy. For example, the first paragraph of a section is known as ":first-child," the last, ":last-child," and so on.^[8] Additionally, there will be a selector called ":nth-child," which will aid in defining attributes for lists and tables — alternating rows can have different colors, in order to facilitate readability. Text-shadow is also planned for Opera 10.^[9]

[edit] Features

Main article: Features of the Opera Browser

In addition to the web browser, the other main component in the desktop versions of the Opera suite is the Opera Mail client, previously known as M2. Opera Mail supports regular POP and SMTP mail as well as IMAP. It also has an Address book. Opera Mail also features a newsreader and a newsfeed reader for RSS and Atom, as well as an IRC client for online chat.

[edit] Usability, Accessibility

Opera was designed to run on low-end and small computers, with a commitment to computer accessibility for users who may have visual or mobility impairments. It also caters to a wide variety of personal preferences in the user interface.

• It is possible to control nearly every aspect of the browser using only the keyboard, and the default keyboard key definitions can be modified to suit the user. The product supplies several popular styles of key mappings; for example in one, the keys for editing a form entry are similar to those of Emacs. Opera also implements access keys, which allow a computer user to immediately jump to a specific part of a web page via the keyboard. Opera was also one of the first browsers to have mouse gestures,^[10] allowing patterns of mouse movement to trigger browser actions, such as "back" or "refresh".
• Page zooming allows text, images and other content such as Macromedia Flash, Java and Scalable Vector Graphics to be increased or decreased in size (20% to 1000%) to help those with impaired vision. User stylesheets may also be used to do this and to enable high contrast coloured fonts.
• Voice control, co-developed with IBM, allows control of the browser without the use of a keyboard or mouse. It can also read aloud pages and marked text. IBM has a browser based on Opera^[11].
• A "Fit to Window" feature that relies on technology similar to Opera Mini's Small Screen Rendering (SSR), allowing websites to fit within a smaller screen without the need for horizontal scrolling.

[edit] Download manager

Opera allows the user to list, pause, resume or restart the downloading of files. It also keeps history of recently downloaded files and allows opening them from within the browser. Opera 9 is also packaged with a torrent plugin, so BitTorrent downloads can be handled just like regular HTTP/FTP downloads.

Opera can also be used with external download managers.

[edit] Extensions

Opera has been criticized for not providing an architecture to add application extensions to the browser, ^[12] although it does support User JavaScript (including Greasemonkey scripts) and Widgets.^[13][14] Opera supports User JavaScript extensions since version 8. Those scripts execute when pages are loaded and are used to enhance site functionality. UserJS.org is the unofficial central repository for Opera User JavaScripts. Userscripts.org lists scripts designed for the Greasemonkey Firefox extension, but many of them also work with Opera.

[edit] MDI and Tabs

Opera supports tabbed browsing and has a true multiple document interface. This means multiple web pages can be opened within the same application window and resized, moved, tiled and cascaded like normal application windows in the operating system. Additional tab features include thumbnail previews for the page contained in each tab.

In subsequent years the default settings have changed from MDI to the simpler concept of tabs. Since version 6.0, Opera offers users the choice of three modes: Tabs, MDI, and SDI (No tabs).

[edit] Notes

This built-in tool allows the user to copy and paste content into a text editor.

[edit] Pop-up blocking

By default Opera blocks all unrequested pop up windows, but does allow the user to control their behavior in a variety of ways, such as forcing them into a background tab, or caching for later viewing.

[edit] Privacy control

Opera can be configured to use proxy servers. It has an inbuilt cookie editor and cache viewer. Also, a powerful password managing tool called Wand is integrated into the browser.

[edit] Search facilities

Opera provides quick access to a variety of search engines and commerce sites, via the use of search plugins. Many search plugins are included with the browser, but they can also be user-defined or installed from an external sources. Opera also allows a user to translate a paragraph or look for meaning of a word directly by a right mouse click.

With the latest version of Opera, a user can have access to any Search Engine without opening the corresponding page. Right Click in a Search Field and then use the CREATE SEARCH option. The Search Engine will be listed in Opera in the future.

[edit] Sessions

Opera allows the user to save a collection of open pages as a session, which can be opened later. Saved sessions include the independent histories and settings of each tab and window, which means that the user can transfer them to another computer.

[edit] Standards

Since version 3.5, Opera has supported CSS, and Håkon Wium Lie, one of the inventors of CSS, is the CTO at Opera.^[15] Up to 6.0 Opera supported most common web standards, Netscape plugins and some other recent standards such as WAP and WML for wireless devices, but its implementation of advanced ECMAScript (better known as "JavaScript") and the HTML Document Object Model was poor.

Version 7.0 saw Opera undergo an extensive rewrite with the older Elektra layout engine being replaced with the faster and more powerful Presto layout engine. The new engine brought almost full support for the HTML DOM meaning that parts of, or a whole, page can be re-rendered in response to DOM and script events. (This release also saw incorporation into Macromedia Dreamweaver, now owned by Adobe Systems, for the rendering of web graphics.)

Version 8.0 introduced support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 Tiny. This marked the first major web browser to natively support some form of SVG. ^[16] Opera has a presentation mode called Opera Show, which allows the use of a single HTML or XML document for large-screen presentations, and web browsing.

Version 9.0 is the first Microsoft Windows browser that passes the Acid2 test. This version adds XSLT and improves SVG to 1.1 Basic level.

[edit] Trash can

Opera has a "trash can" button, which allows the user to retrieve blocked pop-ups or a tab closed earlier in the same session. The list of deleted tabs is kept until the session is closed, and can be used as a temporary bookmark during the session.

[edit] User defined themes

Opera supports customized user interfaces themes, allowing users to change the location and style of toolbars, buttons and menus. A drag and drop functionality allows the user to easily place links and buttons on toolbars. Many user-created themes, ranging from color changes to OS adaptations can be downloaded and installed with a few clicks thanks to the built-in automatic installer.

[edit] New features in Opera 9

There are several new features in Opera 9. The most important ones are:

• Simple BitTorrent client, targeted towards novice users.
• Content blocker (commonly used as an Advertisement blocker).
• Thumbnail preview of tabs (when hovering mouse over them).
• Widgets - small standalone applications sitting on top of the browser.
• Site specific preferences (pop-up blocking, cookies, scripts, user style sheets, user java scripts, user-agent masking)
• The ability to create search engines from a textfield.
• Improved rich text editing (WYSIWYG editor)
• Redefined default hot keys to be more like Internet Explorer.
• Fraud-Protection (Real-time) Opera tests sites the user visits against Phishtank and Trustwatch (Geotrust) databases to see if they are "Fraudulent" or "Verified". This feature is disabled by default^[17], but users can click an icon in the interface to check the status of a site.

[edit] Technologies implemented/improved

• XSLT, XPath
• SVG/1.1 Basic
• TLS/1.1

[edit] Opera for devices

[edit] Smartphones & PDAs

Main article: Opera Mobile

Opera can dynamically reformat any webpage for narrow tall viewports, such as smartphones and PDA displays. This can also be used with Panels. The technology in itself is proprietary, but authors can affect how webpages look in SSR by using Cascading Style Sheets for the media "handheld". Mobile Versions of Opera which utilize this technology are available on a number of smartphones and PDAs, including those produced by Nokia, BenQ, Sony Ericsson, Sharp Corporation, Sendo, Kyocera, Motorola, and Psion.

[edit] Mobile phones

Main article: Opera Mini

Opera Mini is a free compact browser for mobile phones and other devices that have Java ME installed. It uses Opera's servers to render and compress pages before sending the binary data to a small display program run by the phone. The method makes many pages mobile-compatible.

On January 1, 2006 Opera announced that Google will be its default partner for its mobile browser. ^[18]

[edit] Nintendo DS

Main article: Nintendo DS Browser

On February 15, 2006, Opera announced that they had developed a web browser for the Nintendo DS. ^[19] It will take advantage of the system's dual screens for either zooming in on certain sections of a website or having a longer vertical view. The browser has gone on sale in Japan on July 24 2006, for 3,800 yen. (32.15 USD). It has been released in Europe on October 6, 2006 and Australia on January 18, 2007. A US release date has been set for June of 2007.^[20][21]

[edit] Nintendo Wii

Main article: Internet Channel

On May 10, 2006 Opera announced that it will be developing a browser for Nintendo's Wii console. "For our Wii console launch in 2006, we required a browser that was fast and secure with support for the latest standards including AJAX. Opera proved perfect for our purposes and is an exceptional addition to both the Nintendo DS and the Wii console," said Genyo Takeda, senior managing director and general manager, Integrated Research & Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd. ^[22] A trial version of the browser is currently available via the Wii Software page of the Wii Shop Channel.

[edit] Sony mylo

On Aug 23, 2006 Opera announced that it will be supplying the browser for the Sony mylo handheld instant messaging / web browsing multi-media device.

[edit] Main Opera powered devices

• Nintendo Wii
• Archos 604 WiFi
• Nintendo DS
• Nokia 770
• Nokia N800
• Sony Mylo
• NDS MediaHighway Advanced (Pilottime)
• Mood Box
• Archos PMA400
• Sharp Zaurus
• Thales TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment
• Amino AmiNET
• Psion

[edit] External

• Opera devices gallery
• Mobiles with Opera Pre-installed

[edit] Compatibility

Common compatibility problems are caused by websites not following standards or using outdated methods for detecting the browser being used. Websites are sometimes tested only with Internet Explorer and fail to work correctly with other browsers.

To cope with outdated detection methods or poorly built websites, Opera enables users to change the information that is sent to websites to identify what kind of browser is being used -- known as the user-agent. In previous years, Opera came preconfigured to partially "cloak" itself as Internet Explorer, but still included the word "Opera" in the user-agent information allowing the browser to be counted in web statistics. As websites modernized themselves and Opera 9 became more compatible with IE code, Opera began to use its own identification by default.

Later versions of Opera offer more advanced methods of cloaking, such as the ua.ini file. The ua.ini file does not allow the user to write arbitrary user-agent strings, but rather it allows selections from a pre-defined range including Mozilla and Internet Explorer. If needed, Opera can mask completely as Internet Explorer or Mozilla, leaving out the reference to Opera in the UA string and Javascript objects. Some sites test only for objects that are not present in Opera.

Version 8 of Opera introduced a further provision for dealing with faulty coding, by providing a set of scripts in BrowserJS that rewrites known broken pages as they are being opened. The closely-related UserJS (similar to Mozilla's Greasemonkey), allows users to run their own code at various times in the processing of a page. These techniques have allowed many popular but incompatible sites to be used fully with Opera. ^[23]

Opera periodically updates itself with the latest version of BrowserJS and ua.ini ^[24].

It is notable in the face of criticisms of rendering accuracy, that Opera 9.0 passes the Acid2 rendering test by the Web Standards Project, which is designed to test compliance with the latest HTML, CSS and other web standards.^[25] Browsers such as Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2 do not pass this test.

[edit] Market adoption

[edit] Usage share

Statistics reference: Usage share of web browsers

As of October 2006, usage data gives Opera's overall global share of the browser market as being between 0.5% and 1.0%, although Opera's usage share is over 12% in Ukraine, over 9% in Russia, and over 6% in Poland and Lithuania.^[26][27][28]

Since its first release in 1996, the browser has had limited success on desktop computers in the face of competitors including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Netscape. Opera Software has had more success in the area of mobile browsing, with product releases for a variety of platforms. There is not currently any substantial data on mobile browsing statistics (perhaps due to the tiny proportion of browsing that occurs on equipment other than desktop or laptop computers). Opera's availability on many platforms has given users access to a highly functional browser where this choice did not previously exist.

Novell distributes the Linux version of Opera (based on the Qt Library) with its SUSE Linux distribution. Prior to version 3, Xandros included Opera in its Open Circulation Edition as the default browser, but now distributes Firefox.

Available for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite is an Opera version that comes on a regular DS game card, but with an additional GameBoy cartridge for extra memory that can be plugged into the DS's 2nd port. This will allow the Nintendo DS to access the World Wide Web. A version of the Opera Browser is available for the Wii via the Internet Channel. A Beta version of the Internet Channel may currently be downloaded for free from the Wii Shop Channel. In April 2007, the full version will become available for free until June 2007, after which it will be downloadable for 500 Wii Points. The browser can be stored on the Wii's internal flash memory or on an SD card.

Ubuntu is cooperating with their 6.x versions so Ubuntu users can easily download Opera 9. Gentoo allows users to download and install Opera using the Portage package management system.

[edit] Versions

[edit] Latest release versions

Note: The latest version number may differ between languages; these numbers are for the original English (US) version.

• Microsoft Windows: 9.10 (Windows 95 and later)
• Microsoft Windows: 3.62 (Windows 3.x)
• Mac OS X: 9.10; Mac OS: 6.03
• Linux i386, SPARC and PowerPC: 9.10
• Linux arm: 7.6 (see note below)
• FreeBSD i386: 9.10
• Solaris SPARC and i386: 9.10
• OS/2: 5.12
• BeOS: 3.62
• QNX: 6.0.1
• Symbian OS Series 60: 8.60 (Series 60 3rd and 2nd Edition)
• Symbian OS Series 60: 6.20 (Series 60 1st Edition)
• Symbian OS UIQ: 6.31
• EPOC: 5.14
• Windows Mobile: 8.60
• Java ME (Opera Mini): 3.1 - (for mobile phones and other devices with MIDP 1.0 or higher Java support)
• Pocket PC: 8.60 ^[29]
• Windows CE: 8.60

[edit] Preview versions

Beta releases for the desktop platforms (Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X) are tested by a selected group of beta testers. Announcements of technical preview versions are posted on Opera's newsgroup, forums,^[30] and the mailing-list, so the public can test and discuss new features. On 20 April 2006, a beta version of Opera v9 was released.

The public beta for version 9.0 became the first Microsoft Windows browser to pass the Acid2 browser test.^[31].

[edit] Weekly versions

Since February 13, 2006, Opera has on the Desktop Team blog been releasing development builds roughly once a week. These builds are not meant for public consumption and are considered technological preview releases only.

[edit] See also

• My Opera Community
• Opera Mini
• Opera Software
• Information appliance
• List of IRC clients
• List of news clients
• List of web browsers
• Comparison of web browsers
• Comparison of e-mail clients
• Microbrowser
• Comparison of widget engines
• Browser timeline
• Phishtank

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

[edit] Official sites

• Opera Software Homepage
• Developer's Corner — has a wealth of information of development with the Opera browser
• #Opera — Opera IRC channel

v • d • e  Opera
Companies	Opera Software • Telenor
Topics	History • Features • M2 • Community • Presto
Notable individuals	Håkon Wium Lie • Jon S. von Tetzchner • Geir Ivarsøy
Devices	Opera Mobile • Opera Mini • Nintendo DS Browser • Internet Channel