Opera 8 aims for simpler browsing

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Browsers are like car companies/football teams

Consumers' prefer to back the products they believe in. Just like GMC's are to Fords or GM's are to Saturns. Same company's different logos and branches of a conglomerate.

There is a point that isn't apparently discussed openly or I'm confused on. Mozilla is OWNED by Time-Warner/AOL. Netscape is OWNED by Time-Warner/AOL. Firefox is OWNED by Mozilla. AOL's browser is a "capped rendition" of IE by Time-Warner. IE of course is Mr. Gate's creation via his OS. Only Opera is stamped as the outside--loner in the world of browsers.



Opera has provided a fast working system most of the time (#6.0 was cool and fast and small footprint).

I purchased Opera when they first came out, after becoming disgruntled by their adware. I wasn't disappointed by their works with the exception of their email system which was in my opinion, a lame experience. I'll pay for an email box that satisfies my needs versus "free" email boxes that are questionable..

As a webmaster, I've got a copy of IE (because yes, it's built into the OS). But I USE it, simply because 96% of the US market does too.

And there are others...Netscape from 3.1 up, IE from 4.0 up, Opera from 4.0 up, and Firefox. I still have Gopherware as well (remember that one?)and Mosiac...that's an oldy_moldy!

Trying to program for each individual browser is a pain-in-the-sitter. Most pick the top "2" and go that way. Trying to render under Netscape was a frightening experience, then Opera came on-board and taught that they too, could make life even more difficult.

As a gentleman earlier noted, he codes in a note-pad environment and coding JSScript, Java and CSS is a precarious experience but far more rewarding than a WYSIWYG proggy. I agree with him and use the like.

Bottom line is that there will never be any "proper" browser...just like OS's. People are people. What they started with, is what they like; simply because they'd spent a huge lot of time using that browser. Afterall, to learn the browser is learning how to think like it was coded and once you understand it, who wants the misery of having to relearn another browser unless one is a purist....or has many free hours' to spend on a new product?

Therefore, my point is this: Opera has created a good browser and for the curious and the purist, will always have a niche in the browser market. Opera will always have a larger share of the European market simply because it was created there and is aptly marketed there as well.

IE will remain a browser of choice in the US Market simply because it IS embedded within the OS. Most people (consumers' and business operators) will continue to depend on IE because it was built into the OS and nobody has to think about how to use it. That alone will anchor IE in the browser market place.

Posted by: walterreads@...   Posted on: 04/22/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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