Opera FAQ's, Tips, Tricks & Tweaks

Sometimes we need to specify two parameters for search as in the following search.

http://images.google.com/images?imgtype=face&q=monkey

It is possible to create search engine for the above using JavaScript.

By creating a search engine with the following JavaScript in address field, you can search Google Images from address bar by typing <search engine keyword><SPACE><search parameter 1><SPACE><search parameter 2>

Example: gi face monkey

javascript:var s='%s';var p=s.indexOf('+');if(p>-1){var s1=s.split('+');var s2=s.slice(p+1)};window.location.href='http://images.google.com/images?imgtype='+s1[0]+'&q='+s2;

To create search engine for another site, you have to modify images.google.com/images?imgtype='+s1[0]+'&q='+s2; part in the above JavaScript. When you perform search, s1[0] will be replaced by first parameter & s2 with second parameter.

If <search parameter 1> is more than one word use the following JavaScript. You have to use dot instead of space as separtor between search parameters.

javascript:var s='%s';var p=s.indexOf('.');if(p>-1){var s1=s.split('.');var s2=s.slice(p+1)};window.location.href='http://images.google.com/images?imgtype='+s1[0]+'&q='+s2;

Update: Apr 28, 2008

You can install & run Opera 9.50 beta without affecting your current Opera settings.

Linux
Download Opera 9.50 package in TAR.GZ or TAR.BZ2 format, extract it and run opera shell script. Your settings will be stored inside profile folder.

Windows
Install Opera 9.50 in different folder such as Opera 9.50. Your settings will be stored inside %APPDATA%\Opera\Opera 9.50 folder.

See Migrating custom settings from one Opera installation to another & Test Opera weekly/beta/final with & without changing current Opera settings using Sandboxie.

Default search engine

CTRL+F12 → Search → [SELECT] Search engine → Edit... → Details >> → [CHECK] Use as default search engine

Speed Dial search engine

CTRL+F12 → Search → [SELECT] Search engine → Edit... → Details >> → [CHECK] Use as Speed Dial search engine


Google as default search engine & Speed Dial search engine

To share profile/settings between Windows & Linux, you should have Windows FAT32 partition and it should be mounted (preferably automatically) in Linux with read write access.

First backup both profile & mail directories in Windows & Linux.

In Windows

Method 1

Install another copy of Opera in FAT32 partition with Individual Opera profiles for each user on this computer option unchecked. Copy files from your old installation profile to FAT32 partition profile and change all absolute file paths to reflect the new location in opera6.ini, mail\accounts.ini & mail\index.ini.

Method 2

Using NTFS junction point (you must have NTFS in system drive)

Move all files from your Opera profile directory to FAT32 partition and create junction point from previous profile to FAT32 partition profile using Junction Link Magic or command line tool Junction. See observed effects of junction point.

Method 3

a) Copy files from your profile to FAT32 partition except opera6.ini and change all absolute file paths to reflect the new location in opera6.ini, mail\accounts.ini & mail\index.ini.

b) Copy files from your profile to FAT32 partition, change all absolute file paths to reflect the new location in opera6.ini, mail\accounts.ini & mail\index.ini and run opera with command line option /settings. Example: C:\Program Files\Opera\Opera.exe /settings D:\Opera\profile\opera6.ini

In Linux

Method 1

Using symbolic link (AKA symlink or soft link)


Symbolic links in Linux
Move all files in ~./opera except cookies4.dat, opera6.ini, pluginpath.ini & vlink4.dat to some folder. Create a script file with the following code, change /windows/Opera/profile with your path to Opera profile in FAT32 partition, set executable permission and run.

#!/bin/bash -

if [ ! -e ~/.opera ]; then mkdir ~/.opera; fi
cd ~/.opera

ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/cache4 cache4
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/cacheOp cacheOp
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/images images
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/keyboard keyboard
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/mail mail
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/menu menu
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/mouse mouse
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/sessions sessions
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/skin skin
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/styles styles
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/toolbar toolbar
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/userjs userjs
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/widgets widgets
#ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/cookies4.dat cookies4.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/download.dat download.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/global.dat global.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/notes.adr notes.adr
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/opcacrt6.dat opcacrt6.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/opera.dir opera.dir
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/opera6.adr opera6.adr
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/oprand.dat oprand.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/opssl6.dat opssl6.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/override.ini override.ini
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/search.ini search.ini
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/speeddial.ini speeddial.ini
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/urlfilter.ini urlfilter.ini
#ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/vlink4.dat vlink4.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/wand.dat wand.dat
ln -s /windows/Opera/profile/widgets.adr widgets.adr
exit 0

Even if you create symbolic link for cookies4.dat & vlink.dat, these are replaced by files when you close Opera.

Method 2

Change all file paths to reflect FAT32 partition location in opera6.ini.

Warning: There is no security option in FAT32. So, anyone can access your profile in FAT32 partition if they have account in Windows.

Update: Dec 17, 2007