Use cases for Unite and Widgets you think should be transferred to other Opera projects

Use cases for Unite and Widgets you think should be transferred to other Opera projects

Today we are announcing the beginning of the end for two of our current Add-on platforms. Starting with the upcoming Opera 12 release, Opera Unite and Opera Widgets will be turned off by default for new users. The two Add-on platforms will be completely removed in a later release expected before the end of this year.

We would love to hear your feedback on use cases for Opera Unite or Opera Widgets you think should be transferred to Opera extensions or other technology.

Originally posted by ichbinluda:

Just rename Unite to Opera Cloud

Actually Opera Unite is pretty opposite to a cloud. The idea was that every user own his data or apps and can share directly with others.

Originally posted by FataL:

Originally posted by ichbinluda:

Just rename Unite to Opera Cloud

Actually Opera Unite is pretty opposite to a cloud. The idea was that every user own his data or apps and can share directly with others.

How is this opposite if you own the Cloud?

with Opera Unite there is nothing to upload, your own computer acts as a web server, and as long as your computer is on, and Unite is running in Opera you can access the files on your computer from any other gadget that's connected to the internet.

It's a lot better than any cloud service in many ways. It's also a lot better than many other web servers as it allows streaming (on my blackberry it allows me th OPEN a file without saving it, which streams it over the wires to me. I tried other file servers and they only gave me the option to save it. I've had no problems streaming content (2gb movies, etc.) doing this from 1500 miles away from home using UNITE). Luckily Unite is still working fine in 11.64 and I hope that doesn't change

Will the Unite servers ALSO be turned off when the features are removed from future versions of the browser later this year? Or will the servers at least stay up for the (few) of us that actively use Unite?

Originally posted by Dzsini:

The file upload/download facilities from Unite should be kept alive somehow... using them on a weekly basis

I agree Unite is the only thing that still preserves my independence in the web. No servers or space restrictions - just a link to a file on my PC. Or Photo sharing WITHOUT UPLOAD! I fought with passion to get Unite running because it is worth it. I think Opera should fight for this idea too!

Originally posted by TripleDude:

Will the Unite servers ALSO be turned off when the features are removed from future versions of the browser later this year? Or will the servers at least stay up for the (few) of us that actively use Unite?

I think all will be off

I don't think opera servers are required, but due to my lack of knowledge I could be wrong.

Even if Opera servers get turned off or you don't have an Opera account, you can still use Opera Unite:
http://my.opera.com/daniel/blog/2011/09/21/opera-unite-without-account

This will make it so you can access Opera Unite through your localhost/computer...
You will go to a url like this: localhost:8811/file_sharing/
instead of mynameis.operaunite.com/file_sharing
to see see/view/open/save your files.

Here's some other file sharing websites that don't require anything to be uploaded to a server,
a user on another computer just connects to your computer and downloads the file directly
when you give them the link/pass to go to.

http://fileai.com/
http://www.filesovermiles.com/
http://www.justbeamit.com/
http://host03.pipebytes.com/

Good webs!!

but first one, Java version doesn't work very well for me.
Second work very fast
Third is very slow
Fourth neither works for me.

yeah filesovermiles is good

i think how fast it goes all depends on your upload/download speeds.

I suggest http://widgets.opera.com/widget/10031/ (RapidLoader).

I mentioned in a couple of forums and comments to blog posts about the loss of Unite that FTP was a perfectly good substitute for Unite file transfer...

Well, I'm not too proud to admit that I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG!!!

I'm trying to receive some home video shot when my sister in-law was visiting and it's been an absolute nightmare so far (still haven't received them!).

First: I had issues getting the Firewall to let the FTP server work. To be fair, this turned out to be the result of a nasty virus I had a few months ago so not something I should normally encounter... nevertheless, a complete re-install of Windows was required (a couple of weeks delay) since it turned out a lot of networking stuff had been irreparably messed with.

Second: I had issues getting access to the server from outside my home network. This turned out to be a question of setting up port-forwarding on my cable-modem - which required figuring out how to set it through the web interface of my provider (the modem gets new settings via a firmware-upgrade on reboot).

Third: my sister-in-law is not experienced in using FTP. Despite what I thought were foolproof instructions, she didn't manage to send it yet.

If Unite was still operational, I'd have had the damned video a month ago already!

Originally posted by MossMan:

I mentioned in a couple of forums and comments to blog posts about the loss of Unite that FTP was a perfectly good substitute for Unite file transfer...

Well, I'm not too proud to admit that I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG!!!

I'm trying to receive some home video shot when my sister in-law was visiting and it's been an absolute nightmare so far (still haven't received them!).

First: I had issues getting the Firewall to let the FTP server work. To be fair, this turned out to be the result of a nasty virus I had a few months ago so not something I should normally encounter... nevertheless, a complete re-install of Windows was required (a couple of weeks delay) since it turned out a lot of networking stuff had been irreparably messed with.

Second: I had issues getting access to the server from outside my home network. This turned out to be a question of setting up port-forwarding on my cable-modem - which required figuring out how to set it through the web interface of my provider (the modem gets new settings via a firmware-upgrade on reboot).

Third: my sister-in-law is not experienced in using FTP. Despite what I thought were foolproof instructions, she didn't manage to send it yet.

If Unite was still operational, I'd have had the damned video a month ago already!

Well I don't know why you wrote that "if it was still operational". My Unite still works somehow. Or is there something I don't know?

Oh... I tried to use Unite but it was behaving strangely (kept showing me pages about Unite instead of the actual file sharing and inbox pages or settings). I'd previously had trouble getting Unite running properly for a profile created after Opera 12 came out, so I just assumed it was no longer working.

Following your comment I tried again and discovered that things were acting weird since the folder I specified for file sharing no longer existed... after I changed the folder I could suddenly see the correct pages and settings.

Good - if my sister-in-law doesn't figure out FTP in the next couple of days I'll try with Unite instead.

Unite does not work for me, showing:

http://home.fatal.operaunite.com
The address was not found (Error 404)
The address could not be found on this Opera Unite server. Visit the Opera Unite Home page to see available applications.

This was for months already...

This is very unfriendly behaviour of Opera to ditch service of current released version of the browser.

Heads up:

The domain OperaUnite.com and others .net/.org/etc. all expire on: 18-jan-2013

If they're not renewed than you know it's really over. :/

Just a heads up. Opera Unite doesn't work at all in verson 12.10 even if you update to that version from an earlier version.

I really hope they have plans to turn them into extensions...

Still working for me at the moment ( See my sig). I wonder how much longer it will continue to work.

It worked for me in 12, 12.01, and 12.02 if you updated to those versions from 11, but when I updated to 12.10 yesterday the unite apps have been disabled and don't show up in the panel, and when you try to download them from operaunite.com they won't download or install.

Originally posted by jeffyork:

when I updated to 12.10 yesterday the unite apps have been disabled and don't show up in the panel, and when you try to download them from operaunite.com they won't download or install.

That is expected. Unite has been permanently removed now. I recommend using the USB install and using multiple Opera versions. Install 11.64 in one folder, then again in another, install Unite applications, then upgrade one copy to 12.02 and enable Unite. Install 12.10 in its own folder if you want.

Some things improved, others got worse. Take your pick which bugs you want to put up with or which features you can do without.

frenchies aren't that numerous....

Originally posted by opcat:

frenchies aren't that numerous....

the french forum are poor !

I use opera since 10 years already j've seen various developments.
for me it's the browser that has been the most innovative but now you decided at time of emergence of the'' cloud'' remove "unit'' .To remove the possibility of its own server with a simplicity that even a child 6 years.Include the possibility to listen music ,see photos ,see moves as proposed by the various competitors, already existed with opera unite. invoke reason: lack of people use. it's real, but you've never optimize this lead you had. I think you'd bought a company specializing in streaming that never led to something at my chagrin.I use mobile opera I hoped that you integrated '' extensions'' but the fox fire you again doubled on a technology that you control.In conclusion, I am an avid user of the Opera browser on all my support, but I am disappointed because a user many design applications,innovations come from your team, but remains unsatisfied.

sorry for my english.

Something weird going on with MyOpera - this topic has been persistently flagged as "new posts" for days now! Maybe by actually posting something, I can jog the server back on track...

Originally posted by EspenAO:

We would love to hear your feedback on use cases for Opera Unite or Opera Widgets you think should be transferred to Opera extensions or other technology.

We were in the process of porting a webapp, cum-Chrome extension, cum-PhoneGap app to Opera and tried using the new Extensions stuffs, but ran into issues where it would have been possible to use Widgets. A minor problem was the lack of File/FileWriter API which we have workarounds for, but the biggest problem is that we have no way of making an app that shows on the Speed Dial that can load a page from within (it could only be an external URL), a la Chrome extensions. The 'solution' in the porting Widgets to Extensions page was to make a button that would appear in the toolbar on every page, however our app ideally needs to open in a tab from the Speed Dial without having a button on every page. It would also be good if extensions could have permissions for accessing the webcam and geolocation, similar to Chrome extensions.

So right now, without Widgets, we're stuck. Extensions just doesn't cut it quite yet.

Without Unite extensions, cannot use Opera. Decision to cease is shock. (TT)

I need a useful way to manage UserScripts.

I am missing file sharing more and more. Please, Opera Software, come back faster with something new.

Keep widgets. I don't use a lot myself, but have a few that I really like, for example 'Ghostery'. About Unite, Opera is a freakin' browser, not a social network. Do what you do best, (aside from update freakin' bugs...) and let Facebook and G+ handle the sharing crap.

Originally posted by ozonehoyle:

Keep widgets. I don't use a lot myself, but have a few that I really like, for example 'Ghostery'. About Unite, Opera is a freakin' browser, not a social network. Do what you do best, (aside from update freakin' bugs...) and let Facebook and G+ handle the sharing crap.

It is not f**king the same. If I want to share my photos from new year's eve, I have to upload 2GB to either site, but with Unite (if it was working), I could just turn on Opera and drop someone a link.

I agree with you , to send small personnal movies or gif cards , I have put the files on a upload site
happy in france my ISP does this thing , but file sharing was more useful

Originally posted by ozonehoyle:

and let Facebook and G+ handle the sharing crap.

Sharing and "owning". Opera gave everyone a service where they could maintain ownership of their data.

Opera Unite and widgets still work.... just install version 11.64 and keep it on your computer.

The usb portable version that I use...
http://opera-usb.com/download/operausb1164int.zip

I know , !
but if you have don't installed 'file sharing ' before on this version ...it's not possible now ! and the other must have v 11 also

Yes, but you may find that 11.64 works so much better than all the Opera 12 versions so far. IMO, 11.64 works faster and seems to be better compatible with all websites that I use so I'm going to continue to use it.

Originally posted by jeffyork:

Yes, but you may find that 11.64 works so much better than all the Opera 12 versions so far. IMO, 11.64 works faster and seems to be better compatible with all websites that I use so I'm going to continue to use it.

Opera won't keep their services running for ever. Regardless of if you keep using Opera 11, you'll eventually lose the ability to use Unite.

As far as I know you will still be able to use Opera Unite after OperaUnite.com is expired and taken offline....
I'm not sure if all the apps will work, but I do believe the file sharing app and web server app (the main ones I use)
will work just fine once you set them up to work without using an Opera Unite account which I already have done.

Links on how to do this:
http://my.opera.com/daniel/blog/2011/09/21/opera-unite-without-account
http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/custom-domains-opera-unite/

You will have to go to localhost:8840 or youripaddress:8840 or forward those to your own customdomain.com
instead of username.operaunite.com, but Opera Unite will still be usable and function just like before as the
apps and associated files have already been downloaded into your Opera folder on your computer and don't
require anything from OperaUnite.com to run. There's also no way for Opera to magically turn the web server
thats built into Opera 11 versions off.

I could be completely wrong but this is what I suspect. Anyone with more knowledge know if I'm right?

Originally posted by drworm:

Opera won't keep their services running for ever. Regardless of if you keep using Opera 11, you'll eventually lose the ability to use Unite.

Originally posted by electronicfans:

When you use Google Geolocation service based on IP databases it often finds you in wrong places ...

What does that have in common with Unite?

On a side note, if Geolocation relies on IP and if your ISP decides to route your connection through wherever they want, guess what happens.

Originally posted by D1sasterp1ece:

What does that have in common with Unite?

That you can use the geolocation provider Unite Service to return the correct (or really arbitrary) data, if Unite is working?

Isn't Unite more of a DNS service?

Originally posted by opcat:

I know , !
but if you have don't installed 'file sharing ' before on this version ...it's not possible now ! and the other must have v 11 also

Opera Unite still works in O12 (if you know how to activate it), and will continue to work after Opera closes the Unite server (if you know how), so in fact O11 isn't required.

But the other person does NOT need to use O11, or O12, or even Opera at all! That was the best thing about it... just send them a link and they could look at / download /upload things DIRECTLY ON YOUR PC USING NO SPECIAL SOFTWARE OR SETTINGS.

Sorry for shouting, but I needed to make the point about why Unite was special...

Originally posted by jeffyork:

I could be completely wrong but this is what I suspect. Anyone with more knowledge know if I'm right?

Originally posted by drworm:

Opera won't keep their services running for ever. Regardless of if you keep using Opera 11, you'll eventually lose the ability to use Unite.

I'm glad to be corrected. I guess the only service Opera offered was dynamic DNS. It's a shame Opera isn't open source, so Unite could be pulled apart and have development continue.

Originally posted by D1sasterp1ece:

Isn't Unite more of a DNS service?

That too, but it can be set up to work with other DNS services too, but tunneling through proxies or firewalls, like e.g. skype or ICQ do, doesn't work without the original service at Opera.

Originally posted by MossMan:

Opera Unite still works in O12 (if you know how to activate it), and will continue to work after Opera closes the Unite server (if you know how), so in fact O11 isn't required.

How do you activate Opera Unite to work in 012? Thnx.

Also I got my DNS/Customurl from afraid.org, it's free. You can also just buy your own domain and forward it to your Ipaddress:8840.They offer a bunch of different DNS domains to choose from at afraid.org, such as USERNAME.us.to and USERNAME.uk.to which I like the best as they are very short and easy to remember. Their DNS registry: http://freedns.afraid.org/domain/registry/

Originally posted by jeffyork:

Originally posted by MossMan:

Opera Unite still works in O12 (if you know how to activate it), and will continue to work after Opera closes the Unite server (if you know how), so in fact O11 isn't required.

How do you activate Opera Unite to work in 012? Thnx.

A quick search found two methods:

http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=1434512 - How do I re-enable Opera Unite - My Opera

http://www.labnol.org/internet/enable-opera-unite/25447/ - How to Use Opera Unite in Opera 12

Neither of those options work anymore. They only worked up to Opera version 12.02 if you upgraded from Opera 11.
If you upgrade/update to a version after Opera 12.02 opera unite will be turned off and no longer function. That's what
happened to me when I updated to v12.10, ao now I just use 11.64 forever.

Originally posted by MossMan:

Originally posted by jeffyork:

Originally posted by MossMan:

Opera Unite still works in O12 (if you know how to activate it), and will continue to work after Opera closes the Unite server (if you know how), so in fact O11 isn't required.

How do you activate Opera Unite to work in 012? Thnx.

A quick search found two methods:

http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=1434512 - How do I re-enable Opera Unite - My Opera

http://www.labnol.org/internet/enable-opera-unite/25447/ - How to Use Opera Unite in Opera 12

Remove Unite is a great error. Let it remain for advanced users please.
I'll return to 11.64 too. 12 crashes and freezes a lot especially 12.1x. A LOT. I'm using Opera from 3.21 but these are a lot of freezes.