Multiple browsing environments/sandboxes

Multiple browsing environments/sandboxes

Many users may have more than one account for the same site; e.g. Google Accounts, Yahoo! e-mail addresses, Facebook, etc. It is very bothersome to keep logging in and out and in and out to check your inbox or to comment on something using a certain online "identity", or you have to use more than one browser to do so. Please don't suggest using the password manager. I don't know if it can store more than one password for each site, but even if it does, I don't like my browser to store my passwords. Also, I'm talking about cookies and the like not just passwords.

In Private browsing, Opera creates an "environment" that's separate from the one you are using otherwise, but it is temporary and disappears once you close the private tabs. How about making something like it but permanent... maybe even with it's own speed dials and search engines...etc.

Give it a thought.
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On a separate note, how come we can't rearrange search engines?! it is very annoying.

Originally posted by comesbackatlast:

In Private browsing, Opera creates an "environment" that's separate from the one you are using otherwise

What sucks about it is it's not a separate environment per tab. All the private tabs share the same environment. So, if you have more than one extra login to do for a site, you run into the same problem. I don't even think private windows are separate from each other.

Originally posted by comesbackatlast:

or you have to use more than one browser to do so

Yes, you can have multiple standalone installations if you want.

But, if you do it this way, it's only one set of program files and just different profiles. You could even create toolbar buttons to launch those other profiles. The profiles aren't lost when you close them either.

The button commands would be like:

Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile1", 'Open Opera Profile 1", "Window Browser Icon"
Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile2", 'Open Opera Profile 2", "Window Browser Icon"
Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile3", 'Open Opera Profile 3", "Window Browser Icon"
Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile4", 'Open Opera Profile 4", "Window Browser Icon"
Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile5", 'Open Opera Profile 5", "Window Browser Icon"

(no spaces in the -pd path)

And, instead of having a separate button for each, you could create a customized menu ini file like:

opera_profiles.ini

Opera Preferences version 2.0
; Menu specification file for Opera 7.0
; This file is stored in UTF-8 encoding

[Version]
File Version=2

[Info]
Name=Opera Profile Menu
Description=Opera Profile Menu
Version=1

[Opera Profile Menu]
Item, "Profile 1"=Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile1"
Item, "Profile 2"=Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile2"
Item, "Profile 3"=Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile3"
Item, "Profile 4"=Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile4"
Item, "Profile 5"=Execute program, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\opera.exe", "-pd C:\Users\user\OperaProfile5"

(no spaces in -pd path)

Then, you'd put it in the "menu" folder (create it if it isn't there) in the preferences directory and switch to it via "Ctrl + F12 -> advanced -> toolbars".

Then, you could create a button that refers to the menu like this:

Show popup menu, "Opera Profile Menu",,"Opera Profiles", "Window Browser Icon"

and add it to the address bar for example.

You'll then have a button with a drop-down where you can launch other Opera profiles.

So, that'd be one workaround for now probably. +1 for making it easier though.

But, if you want to share *some* things between profiles, that becomes more complicated.

Originally posted by comesbackatlast:

Please don't suggest using the password manager. I don't know if it can store more than one password for each site

It can store multiple logins per site. You'd just logout and when you log back in with the wand (ctrl + enter), you'll be asked what username to use. Note that some sites have support themselves for switching to a different login.

As for storing your passwords, you can set a master passowrd under "Ctrl + F12 -> advanced -> Security". Then, you can check the box to encrypted (instead of just obfuscate like Opera does by default) your wand.dat file (your password file) so nothing can read it but Opera after you open Opera and enter your master password.

Profile system should be more convenient in Opera, just like Chrome.

But sandboxing is important, because when u have multiple windows open, and one of tab in a window crashes Opera, it will close all Windows.

Originally posted by burnout426:

+1 for making it easier though.

That's the whole point. I know I can make multiple installations. In fact I'd been switching "multi user" to 0 for some time before it became an "official" option. I also don't really mind using more than one browser that much. The whole thing is about convenience and ease of use.

You know when opera is abruptly shut and when started again asks you which session to choose, I want something like it but with profiles, e.g.



Of course, it shouldn't start the same way. Default profile should be, well, default, but you can choose to start other profiles... much like Private Tabs. Also like sessions, you should also be able to open a new window with a certain profile or open it under some "panel" or "mega tab stack" that is clearly discernible (colours?).

Also, the user should be able to set whether he wants more than one profile to open by default (in case of separate windows).

That's it for now. what are your thoughts?

Forgot to say that in the Business Profile, you use your "real-life e-mails", and in Social Profile, you may use your "online identity e-mails". Both are important and need to be checked regularly.