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Can Opera be downloaded without automatically importing bookmarks from an existing browser?
Hi all!I have an older version of IE which works fine but is no longer supported by some websites. I am auditioning other browsers to see which works best for me and have just downloaded Opera 10.53.
All other browsers except Opera have offered the option of not importing bookmarks when initially downloaded. When I opened Opera all the bookmarks from IE were there but in a different order. No matter how sorted, the resulting order is different than the IE order.
Since I've got too many old bookmarks anyhow, it would be easiest and simplest to start from scratch! Is that possible with Opera?
All that aside, press Ctrl + Shift + B This will open the Bookmark manager. Select the IE bookmarks, right click, and select Delete.
As you suggested, the Bookmark manager facilitated deleting all the IE bookmarks quickly and easily. Thanks!
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
All the other browsers I've downloaded have offered an option to import existing bookmarks when setting up the download prior to the actual downloading.
I think you're confusing Installing with Downloading. Two separate things, even if you choose the Run option instead of Save, you still have to download, before you can install..
During the initial set-up it imported all the IE bookmarks.
I stand corrected on my previous statement. Opera will import bookmarks of existing browsers, if you're using the Classic Installer.
3. June 2010, 16:40:49 (edited)
I do understand that before anything can be installed it must be downloaded. I don't understand the operational differences between Opera's Classic Installer and Opera's InstallShield Wizard installer.
I downloaded both installers as well as Stu's Opera Settings Import & Export Tool to see what works best for me, although way over the top! I then uninstalled Opera and reinstalled it, using the InstallShield Wizard installer. This time, although no option was offered, Opera did NOT import IE's bookmarks.
Obviously Opera can do what I want/need. But why does it do so in a convoluted fashion? Mostly I want simple!
I'm not a computer person and just want to casually browse the internet without it being a big deal. Is Opera basically designed for more knowledgeable hardcore users?
I understand that opening web pages as tabs increases speed and uses less memory resources than opening them as windows but that makes little difference for me. The overall appearance and layout is IMHO, more cluttered and confusing. Although IE6 is slow when compared to current browsers, it still works fine and looks good.
What part of the interface seems cluttered or confusing? Actually, I don't recommend you do it, but I'm pretty sure you could make Opera look like IE6 with skinning and the Appearance dialog.
5. June 2010, 07:14:12 (edited)
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
I understand that opening web pages as tabs increases speed and uses less memory resources than opening them as windows but that makes little difference for me. The overall appearance and layout is IMHO, more cluttered and confusing. Although IE6 is slow when compared to current browsers, it still works fine and looks good.
Sounds like you're experiencing the Baby Duck Syndrome.
Opera is packed with a ton of features (way more than any major browsers you will find) thus you will need to spend some time to learn the stuff you never knew about - what a modern web browser should be able to do. This is especially true when you only have experience with IE. I would suggest you spend some time try to browse in Tabs instead of Windows because there are some very useful features that you can access via tabbed browsing, but not in windows. Try right-click on a tab & try out the commands in the context menu, or drag the tab around & reorder tabs in the way you like, holding down the right-mouse button & scroll the wheel to switch page. Or enabled Single-key shortcuts, then you can switch pages with just pressing "1" or "2" key.
Anyway, if you really want to browse in the traditional way (Windows), Opera allow you to do so.
Go to Preferences (Ctrl+F12) > Advanced > Tabs > Additional tab options > enabled Open windows instead of tabs.
Originally posted by spadija:
I wouldn't say Opera is designed for more knowledgeable users, but it definitely lets more knowledgeable users tweak it to their liking. Also, unlike IE6, the interface is designed to maximize the viewing area.
What specifically do you mean by 'maximize the viewing area'? I use an old (chuckle!) 42" flatscreen LCD TV with a VGA input as a monitor so the viewing area is sizeable. After subtracting the space taken by toolbars, startbars, etc., both Opera and IE's default viewing area is 15"h x 36.5"w, or 27"w in a normal 4x3 aspect ratio.
A quirk which every(?) browser except IE exhibits on my monitor is that if a Window doesn't open maximized it's displayed off center and can't be adjusted properly until I fiddle with the bottom edge. Once fiddled with, all 4 borders of open non-maximized Windows can be adjusted normally.
FWIW, since these browser questions have come up I've downloaded all the current browsers just to get a feel for them. IMHO, Safari and Firefox are most similiar to IE while Chrome and Opera are different, albeit in different ways.
What part of the interface seems cluttered or confusing? Actually, I don't recommend you do it, but I'm pretty sure you could make Opera look like IE6 with skinning and the Appearance dialog.
Yeah, the last thing I want to do is fiddle with something just to make it look like something else.
A question: Why do Bookmarks and Widgets appear in Opera's Panels as well as in Toolbars? Why Panels at all? Just something else to click on.
Originally posted by dude09:
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
I understand that opening web pages as tabs increases speed and uses less memory resources than opening them as windows but that makes little difference for me. The overall appearance and layout is IMHO, more cluttered and confusing. Although IE6 is slow when compared to current browsers, it still works fine and looks good.
Sounds like you're experiencing the Baby Duck Syndrome.
If the Foo sh-ts, I guess I'll have to wear it!
I don't think IE6 was the first version of IE I used. At one time I even upgraded to IE7 but instantly didn't like it. (The Tab invasion! But a more immediate issue was that Dictionary.com's Toolbar link didn't want to download, while it worked perfectly in IE6.) Reverting back to IE6 wasn't intuitive; I had to ask how at my neighborhood Geek shop!
Opera is packed with a ton of features (way more than any major browsers you will find) thus you will need to spend some time to learn the stuff you never knew about - what a modern web browser should be able to do. This is especially true when you only have experience with IE. I would suggest you spend some time try to browse in Tabs instead of Windows because there are some very useful features that you can access via tabbed browsing, but not in windows. Try right-click on a tab & try out the commands in the context menu, or drag the tab around & reorder tabs in the way you like, holding down the right-mouse button & scroll the wheel to switch page. Or enabled Single-key shortcuts, then you can switch pages with just pressing "1" or "2" key.
Anyway, if you really want to browse in the traditional way (Windows), Opera allow you to do so.
Go to Preferences (Ctrl+F12) > Advanced > Tabs > Additional tab options > enabled Open windows instead of tabs.
I've done the Open windows option. But why am I being manipulated into changing browsers when I'm not unhappy with what I've got and don't miss new features I don't really care about?
It's not that IE6 doesn't work! In fact in specific ways it still excells. I certainly know how to upgrade when and if it really becomes necessary.
---
Regarding Opera, I do wish they'd offer the option of importing or not importing Bookmarks from other browsers when setting up the installation as all other IE alternatives do! Apparently, when Bookmarks are imported it affects the source browser; instead of being arranged as I had them; most of IE6's Bookmarks rearranged themselves alphabetically, and had to again be fiddled with!
5. June 2010, 18:37:09 (edited)
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Good thing the SH-TS is not on me.If the Foo sh-ts, I guess I'll have to wear it!
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Here is the bad news (for you), AFAIK all major browsers have move away from Windows browsing & adopted Tabbed browsing. You can look at IE8, Safari, Chrome, Firefox... All of 'em are offering Tabbed browsing as default behavior. I'm not gonna argue which browsing behavior is better (it's a personal taste), but there got to be some reasons why every major browser developers are in favor of Tabbed browsing over Windows browsing... The good news is most of 'em still allow you to revert the browsing behavior back to Windows behavior.The Tab invasion!
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
It's very easy, just go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Program > uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 7 > Restart computer.Reverting back to IE6 wasn't intuitive; I had to ask how at my neighborhood Geek shop!
However, I heard a lot of bad news, downgrade from IE7 might brake your Windows!!! So my advice: Don't even bother with it.
Trust me, it's not worth you time & effort to do so, just upgrade to IE8 or even better, buried IE & use other browsers.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
You can stay with IE6/7 if you want (I do not recommend you to do so), but technology won't stop advancing & the Internet will just keep evolving as time past. The latest stable IE is IE8, & IE9 is already in beta stage I think. If you're still using IE6/7 then you're 2 versions behind, I suggest you should at least move on to IE8/9 if you don't like any alternative browser available, for security sake. Microsoft have stop patching IE6 security holes & you're putting yourself in danger if you continue surfing the Internet with IE6/7.But why am I being manipulated into changing browsers when I'm not unhappy with what I've got and don't miss new features I don't really care about?
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
IE6 is not working with the Internet of 2010, period. IE6 is outdated & it doesn't support most of the modern web standards, it won't getting any better & eventually it'll become completely obsolete because majority of web developers have stop supporting the abominate IE6.It's not that IE6 doesn't work!
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
You can make a request or file a bug report concerning the inconsistency of importing bookmarks during installation process. IMHO this is a very good idea!Regarding Opera, I do wish they'd offer the option of importing or not importing Bookmarks from other browsers when setting up the installation as all other IE alternatives do!
Go to Wishlist forum to propose your fabulous ideas: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/forum.dml?id=24
Or you can file a bug report via bug wizard: https://bugs.opera.com/wizard/
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Opera doesn't use the same bookmark storage system as IE, which means IE bookmarks are still intact & won't be affected by Opera at all. AFAIK every web browser uses different bookmark storage system, with the exception of "shell" web browser which might share the same bookmarks with IE.Apparently, when Bookmarks are imported it affects the source browser; instead of being arranged as I had them; most of IE6's Bookmarks rearranged themselves alphabetically, and had to again be fiddled with!
You can try change the Sort bookmarks via <i>View</i> button to "Sort by My order" & see if it will reorder it in the way IE does. But the chances are it won't work, because Opera might not be able to access the bookmarks order list of IE when importing IE bookmarks to Opera.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Don't use the Classic Installer, and nothing will be imported.Regarding Opera, I do wish they'd offer the option of importing or not importing Bookmarks from other browsers when setting up the installation as all other IE alternatives do!
Originally posted by dude09:
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
If the Foo sh-ts, I guess I'll have to wear it!
Good thing the SH-TS is not on me.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Here is the bad news (for you), AFAIK all major browsers have move away from Windows browsing & adopted Tabbed browsing. You can look at IE8, Safari, Chrome, Firefox... All of 'em are offering Tabbed browsing as default behavior. I'm not gonna argue which browsing behavior is better (it's a personal taste), but there got to be some reasons why every major browser developers are in favor of Tabbed browsing over Windows browsing... The good news is most of 'em still allow you to revert the browsing behavior back to Windows behavior.[/quote]The Tab invasion!
Thanks for your reply and thoughts. I know tabbed browsing is the current standard and kinda' know why. That's fine, especially as they do allow windows as a user option.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Reverting back to IE6 wasn't intuitive; I had to ask how at my neighborhood Geek shop!
Originally posted by dude09:
It's very easy, just go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Program > uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 7 > Restart computer.
However, I heard a lot of bad news, downgrade from IE7 might brake your Windows!!! So my advice: Don't even bother with it.
Trust me, it's not worth you time & effort to do so, just upgrade to IE8 or even better, buried IE & use other browsers.
Yeah, that's what the Geek guys told me. The problem (which didn't exist) was I didn't realize that IE would then revert back to v.6, I thought I'd be up the creek w/o a proverbial paddle! FYI, I reverted back to IE6 awhile ago and had no problems.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
But why am I being manipulated into changing browsers when I'm not unhappy with what I've got and don't miss new features I don't really care about?
Originally posted by dude09:
]You can stay with IE6/7 if you want (I do not recommend you to do so), but technology won't stop advancing & the Internet will just keep evolving as time past. The latest stable IE is IE8, & IE9 is already in beta stage I think. If you're still using IE6/7 then you're 2 versions behind, I suggest you should at least move on to IE8/9 if you don't like any alternative browser available, for security sake. Microsoft have stop patching IE6 security holes & you're putting yourself in danger if you continue surfing the Internet with IE6/7.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
It's not that IE6 doesn't work!
Originally posted by dude09:
IE6 is not working with the Internet of 2010, period. IE6 is outdated & it doesn't support most of the modern web standards, it won't getting any better & eventually it'll become completely obsolete because majority of web developers have stop supporting the abominate IE6.
When IE6 becomes unusable I'll upgrade. It still works fine. I've had few problems with IE6 except for 2 attacks from different variations of Anti-virus Live which I learned to eradicate withonline geek help. (Fortunately I've got a back-up laptop.) I've downloaded all the current browsers (except IE8)--to see which works best for me. (If I gotta' switch it'll be away from IE.)
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Regarding Opera, I do wish they'd offer the option of importing or not importing Bookmarks from other browsers when setting up the installation as all other IE alternatives do!
Originally posted by dude09:
You can make a request or file a bug report concerning the inconsistency of importing bookmarks during installation process. IMHO this is a very good idea!
Go to Wishlist forum to propose your fabulous ideas: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/forum.dml?id=24
Or you can file a bug report via bug wizard: https://bugs.opera.com/wizard/
Hmmm. Y'know Opera is a smart outfit. I can't understand why they'd need a suggestion from me to do the obvious, especially since all their competition is apparently doing it.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Apparently, when Bookmarks are imported it affects the source browser; instead of being arranged as I had them; most of IE6's Bookmarks rearranged themselves alphabetically, and had to again be fiddled with!
Originally posted by dude09:
Opera doesn't use the same bookmark storage system as IE, which means IE bookmarks are still intact & won't be affected by Opera at all. AFAIK every web browser uses different bookmark storage system, with the exception of "shell" web browser which might share the same bookmarks with IE.
You can try change the Sort bookmarks via View button to "Sort by My order" & see if it will reorder it in the way IE does. But the chances are it won't work, because Opera might not be able to access the bookmarks order list of IE when importing IE bookmarks to Opera.
Yeah, Opera's order was alphabetical.
But after Opera had imported all IE6's bookmarks ('Favorites') I found that the order in IE had changed to alphabetical also. Plus, after I re-installed Opera, the newly installed Opera seemed to know (some of?) the changes I had made the first time.
I don't 'get it' but I'm not a geek!
7. June 2010, 02:22:07 (edited)
Originally posted by k0asati:
IE 6 hasn't been updated since Aug. 2004, when Opera was at 7.54. If you don't like tabs, don't use them, but you really should step up to a modern browser.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Don't use the Classic Installer, and nothing will be imported.Regarding Opera, I do wish they'd offer the option of importing or not importing Bookmarks from other browsers when setting up the installation as all other IE alternatives do!
Damn! Why doesn't Opera make that clear when a new prospective user sets up the download? At least it offers the option of being, or not being, the default browser.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Wow, you're a very brave risk taker. MS updated my IE6 to IE7 behind my back, & I doesn't bother with it because I worried it might break my Windows if I downgrade back to IE6... But then, I rarely touch IE ever since I use Firefox & then move to Opera.FYI, I reverted back to IE6 awhile ago and had no problems.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
If I gotta' switch it'll be away from IE.
Good decision. There are no reason to use IE except when certain website blocked all other browsers & FORCE you to access their website with IE.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Opera browser is build by a bunch of geeks (very smart people), their rationality is in a totally different level than us, & they can't read your mind. Also, people make mistake & someone need to tell 'em. You're the consumer & you can help them to understand your need by telling 'em what you want/need from a browser, or inform them about the bugs you found. So, you should let 'em know what you think about the browser or how to make it easier to use for people like you & me, to serve us better!Y'know Opera is a smart outfit. I can't understand why they'd need a suggestion from me to do the obvious, especially since all their competition is apparently doing it.
Please note that not every request/suggestion will be adopted by the Opera developer, & usually it will take a long time for them to implant it.
Originally posted by dude09:
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
FYI, I reverted back to IE6 awhile ago and had no problems.
Wow, you're a very brave risk taker. MS updated my IE6 to IE7 behind my back, & I doesn't bother with it because I worried it might break my Windows if I downgrade back to IE6... But then, I rarely touch IE ever since I use Firefox & then move to Opera.
Perhaps the best description for what I did would be; 'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.' But my Geek store guys, who are good, said there would be no problems.
You bring up an interesting point. Several times I've gotten 'Upgrades Available' notices from MS which, had I not read the options in detail, would have downloaded IE7. I strongly dislike unasked-for 'helpful' suggestions or default options from automated services.
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
If I gotta' switch it'll be away from IE.
Originally posted by dude09:
Good decision. There are no reason to use IE except when certain website blocked all other browsers & FORCE you to access their website with IE.
Hmmm. Interesting observation!
A bank, with which I've got a 30+ year relationship, 20some online, is intimating (threatening?) to deny access in August to Online Banking unless I upgrade to a 'modern' browser. If they do, it'll be time to consider 2 options; change banks or use stamps! The bank provides direct links to IE8, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, but not Opera!
Originally posted by fallingwater2:
Y'know Opera is a smart outfit. I can't understand why they'd need a suggestion from me to do the obvious, especially since all their competition is apparently doing it.
Originally posted by dude09:
Opera browser is build by a bunch of geeks (very smart people), their rationality is in a totally different level than us, & they can't read your mind. Also, people make mistake & someone need to tell 'em. You're the consumer & you can help them to understand your need by telling 'em what you want/need from a browser, or inform them about the bugs you found. So, you should let 'em know what you think about the browser or how to make it easier to use for people like you & me, to serve us better!
Please note that not every request/suggestion will be adopted by the Opera developer, & usually it will take a long time for them to implant it.
I'd hope that an Opera rep reads these Forums if just to keep up on the latest 'bug' news.
Opera doesn't have to read my mind but does have to deal with the market and competition.
Browser developers basically make their incomes from ad placements on their free-to-end-users browsers. Google is worth a few billion from services which are largely 'free'.