Daniel Aleksandersen

[My] real world use cases for Opera Unite

Monday, September 19, 2011 1:35:25 PM

Do you remember November 23, 2009? It was the day Opera Software said it would reinvent the Web and release version 10.10 featuring Opera Unite. Maybe Opera’s Segway-moment (we haven’t rearchitectured our cities nor the Web) was not that memorable; but the technology is still around. Since November 2009, I’ve used Opera Unite for a few scenarios and thought I would share the use cases with you.

Static HTML pages

The personal home page isn’t quite dead yet. The Web Server application lets you serve static HTML pages as with any other Web site. I have a small about me page linking off to my various public profiles.

Another similar case were Opera Unite have proven very useful is for showing off design concepts and mock-ups. I’m often involved in a handful of open source projects providing. I’m quickly able to setup a fully working Web server to show off my work that everyone involved can access.

I also want to mention the Tempbin application, that let you host your own tempbin (for code snippets/logs) and manage access controls. IRC—well, mostly XMPP conference rooms—are still alive.

File sharing

I have not used the File Sharing application that much. But my most frequent scenario for it involves a “SMTP Error ‘552 Message too large’” and resending the email with a link to the file hosted from my own machine. There have also been the occasional link posted in a chat room.

The File Inbox application also allows you to receive files to a dedicated Drop Box folder.

Personal photos

Some times you may want to share some very personal photos with an individual. Photos which you—for whatever reason—are not comfortable with sharing with a third party photo host. Your vacation photos and those captioned photos of your cat can go on other hosted services. But you will want to keep control over these particular photos yourself. Maybe even set a password. Enter the Photo Sharing application.

Are you using Opera Unite for anything cool? Share it by posting a comment!

Sharing is funRunning Opera Unite without an Opera Account

Comments

Mağruf ÇolakoğluZAHEK # Monday, September 19, 2011 2:01:31 PM

I only use it if it is necessary , such as sharing the file but I thinkk that it will not be popular becouse of it is not improved. Opera did not concern about it.
If it improves, I beleive that it will be the one. I think noone use it more...

Charles SchlossChas4 # Monday, September 19, 2011 4:32:35 PM

I am hoping the Media player unite app gets updated with html 5 so that I can stream my library without the use of flash player on the other end

the four in a row unite app also has examples for games as it does not matter what browser the other user uses, they can still load the page and play

Have use Opera Unite Media player to, not have to take an ipod to a class final stream my music over the school network :Woot:

techlawsam # Monday, September 19, 2011 11:55:06 PM

I use the stream media with my family far away along with heavy usage of file sharing and file inbox to exchange files back and forth, not to mention, media player as well

Unregistered user # Tuesday, September 20, 2011 6:13:40 AM

bachokocho writes: Photos sharing, files sharing, media player

Krio LythKriolyth # Tuesday, September 20, 2011 6:20:01 AM

Mostly for file sharing.
However, I've been in situations where a collaborative drawing app on Unite would be a real lifesaver - in a fast-paced teamwork "puzzle solving" competition. But there's no such app yet

Jimtoyotabedzrock # Tuesday, September 20, 2011 10:04:48 PM

I use it for UserJS.

A Few Ideas:

I think developers would take notice if there was a way to keep it running when the browser isn't open.

Integrate node.js.

Integrate Unite into the extension system so a Unite app can also include an extension.

It could be used to help facilitate offline applications.

Give it a cron like functionality to allow things to happen without direct user input.

Constantine Vesnac69 # Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:39:31 PM

0) Unite is example of anti-user-friendliness.

1) Server.. In theory - its simple, in practice - server that requires your current to be online, when somebody (including you) will want to access your little static site. Also, there is no .php or support and .. meh.

2) File sharing is often better done via Skype, (yet, it requires synchronous access). Maybe, Opera should have a look at dropbox, and make Unite file share work in some way similar to it (systray icon to folder, and stuff like that), dunno..

3) Photosharing. Same as file sharing. You make a password protected .rar, and upload it to some sharing site. Not good for real secrets, but just enough for regular stuff.

p.s: as others mentioned - support for server-side Node.js would be nice (i know its V8, and everything).