Rosalie Wojcieski

Opera: Innovation That Sings No Sorrows

Monday, August 17, 2009 2:35:00 PM

Over a few whirlwind years we have developed into an ephemeral society where living out of our pockets has never seemed like a better idea; assuming our pockets house an iPhone or a similar gadget god that allows us to command our technological needs at the touch of a button.

Ultimately, we want a technological creation that does everything for us; a hybrid telephonic, music, Internet web browser device that is fast, personalized, convenient, organizing, sexy and sleek. This seems like a difficult feat to accomplish but the key to this avant-garde technology is innovation. However it goes hand in hand with a lot of trial and error as many technological hopefuls have discovered.

Lets examine the idea of “push” technology; a seemingly progressive and revolutionary concept where the Web server "pushes" information to the user rather than waiting for the user specifically request it. Initially “push” was seen as a solution to the problem of information overload; it was meant to serve as a tool for tailoring and organizing online information to our needs. However, advertisers took advantage of it as a spamming device for their products and as its creator, Sunil Paul put it, `Push… didn't address the needs of real users and instead fell victim to the needs of advertisers.'' So “push” got shoved out of the Internet and into the graveyard of failed overhyped technology.

Learning from Push’s mistakes software developers are trying to populate the Internet with technologies that allow us to create a cyber pin up board of the World Wide Web. What we once thought we couldn't personalize because we couldn't reach out and physically touch it, we now can.

Take the innovative new benchmark of Internet browsing, Opera as an example. What Opera provides is an opportunity for the user to personalize their browser into something that is familiar to them, like a personal desktop, which in turn allows for easier use. To provide convenience and efficiency, all of our favourite feeds and gadgets are personally picked out by us and displayed on one screen. On top of that we are given the ability to customize the colour schemes and personalize the background of our “speed dial” page. One glance at it and we can escape to a tropical oasis or snow peaked fairytale Scandinavia. This is when Opera takes centre stage in the fantastical cyber world.

Test

Comments

Gyrobo # Monday, August 17, 2009 5:31:36 PM

I keep pushing this door with a sign on it that says "pull."

I'm starting to suspect it isn't opposite day.

Greg Smithgregsmithsays # Monday, August 17, 2009 7:27:00 PM

What a smooth elegant style you have !

Nice ... I gave you a Vote

if you have a minute read my entry here http://my.opera.com/gregsmithsays/blog

If you like it - you're equally welcome to RSVP

(Voting is pretty basic - on the Article itself, just click ADD TO FAVORITES) Voila !

Good luck...

Greg Smithgregsmithsays # Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:30:59 AM

7 days left, any thoughts on an article for round 2 ?

Joseph D. Lienjdlien # Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:47:13 AM

Rosalie, I'm interested in the idea of advertisers exploiting push technologies... I'm not quite understanding what you mean by that. Do you have some specific examples in mind?

I love the idea of push email (i.e. on a BlackBerry) that means I don't have to setup my mail client to request it, so I get my messages instantly with less overhead on behalf of the client software...

Greg Smithgregsmithsays # Friday, August 21, 2009 8:17:16 AM

We've got a 100 hr Countdown on the My Opera 2009 Contest Group
(extra free Tech writing resources too)

You're welcome to join

http://my.opera.com/operainterns2009/blog/

good luck, everyone

Lovestep18 # Saturday, August 22, 2009 8:44:00 AM

Good luck for you friend

Winterwinterdawn # Saturday, August 22, 2009 4:39:41 PM

hi! great post

just faved it ^^

please also help support me at http://my.opera.com/winterdawn/blog/2009/08/19/an-open-book

thank you so much!!!

user1opera # Monday, August 24, 2009 2:36:23 AM

I am sorry for my "philosophical posts"
if any don't like them - i can delete them thus.
you can add me as friend
and vote for my so-called weblog here:
http://my.opera.com/user1opera/blog/
Browse Knowledge in Multidimensional visual way with Opera 10

Thank you all

Greg Smithgregsmithsays # Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:14:17 PM

All the best !

Feel free to visit the Participants Group
Opera Online Writers Internship Competition Group >>
http://my.opera.com/operainterns2009/blog/
or the Participants Forum >>
http://my.opera.com/operainterns2009/forums/

kind regards,
greg

Greg Smithgregsmithsays # Wednesday, August 26, 2009 8:51:18 AM

You might already be a member of [/URL]2009 Participants Group
BUT...
...now we have a ONLINE WRITERS RESOURCE group

http://my.opera.com/community/groups/?search=online+resource+group+initiative

Feel free to join and share your favorite Tips & Tweaks

miniliini # Friday, August 28, 2009 6:48:24 AM

Nice, very nice indeed - you have my vote!

If you want to read something funny, check out my blog post and add it to your favorites:

http://my.opera.com/miniliini/blog/2009/08/26/a-brief-history-of-my-life-b-o-u-3

Thank you & best of luck!