My Opera
Kestrel is coming!
By Huib Kleinhouthuibk. Friday, June 22, 2007 9:00:48 AM
The last couple of months we've been working hard on the upcoming Opera 9.5 release, codename Kestrel. Opera 9.5 will contain many cool new features, improvement of existing features, and we fixed a lot of bugs. Within a few weeks we will publish 9.5 weeklies on this blog so everyone can start playing with it. 
What's new!
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After the release of Opera 9 last year, we continued the development of Opera's rendering engine for inclusion in the 9.5 release. As a result, Opera 9.5 contains more than a year of improvements on the rendering engine. This includes improved CSS3 support (text-shadow anyone ), superior SVG support and a brand new javascript engine with support for ECMAScript 4 'getters' and 'setters'. Apart from being the best standard compliant browser, Opera 9.5 will also display even more webpages with bad coding.
User Interface
Earlier we asked our users for feedback by enabling the usage statistics. Thanks to all the feedback that we got, we now know more about which features are most popular and which ones are used less. In the Opera 9.5 user interface we made several usability improvements that make the popular features easier to access, and more consistent with other browsers.
Accessibility
Opera's zoom function has always been a very popular accessibility feature. Opera 9.5 takes a big step forward in accessibility by introducing screen reader support , improved keyboard navigation and more consistent keyboard shortcuts.
Platform integration
To make sure that Opera remains the best choice on your platform, we spend a lot of time making Opera feel more integrated with your platform. Mac users can expect a nice new visual look and feel. Opera for Linux will add a QT4 build, so you can easily adjust the skin to match with desktop. There will also be 64-bit Linux/FreeBSD packages made available.
Performance
If you like speed, we've got good news for you! Opera 9.5 will be much faster, both in benchmarks (and we don't have to cheat ) and most important: on real web pages. The user interface will also feel snappier and more responsive, for example switching tabs is now a lot faster on UNIX.
And there is so much more! While we're preparing the first weekly build for you, we will introduce you to more new features and changes in 9.5. Keep yourself updated!
What's new!
[/IMG]After the release of Opera 9 last year, we continued the development of Opera's rendering engine for inclusion in the 9.5 release. As a result, Opera 9.5 contains more than a year of improvements on the rendering engine. This includes improved CSS3 support (text-shadow anyone
), superior SVG support and a brand new javascript engine with support for ECMAScript 4 'getters' and 'setters'. Apart from being the best standard compliant browser, Opera 9.5 will also display even more webpages with bad coding.User Interface
Earlier we asked our users for feedback by enabling the usage statistics. Thanks to all the feedback that we got, we now know more about which features are most popular and which ones are used less. In the Opera 9.5 user interface we made several usability improvements that make the popular features easier to access, and more consistent with other browsers.
Accessibility
Opera's zoom function has always been a very popular accessibility feature. Opera 9.5 takes a big step forward in accessibility by introducing screen reader support
, improved keyboard navigation and more consistent keyboard shortcuts.Platform integration
To make sure that Opera remains the best choice on your platform, we spend a lot of time making Opera feel more integrated with your platform. Mac users can expect a nice new visual look and feel. Opera for Linux will add a QT4 build, so you can easily adjust the skin to match with desktop. There will also be 64-bit Linux/FreeBSD packages made available.
Performance
If you like speed, we've got good news for you! Opera 9.5 will be much faster, both in benchmarks (and we don't have to cheat
) and most important: on real web pages. The user interface will also feel snappier and more responsive, for example switching tabs is now a lot faster on UNIX.And there is so much more!
While we're preparing the first weekly build for you, we will introduce you to more new features and changes in 9.5. Keep yourself updated!
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next »
АлександрOrlando # Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:59:58 AM
See http://my.opera.com/dstorey/blog/2007/02/26/squashing-bugs-on-the-road-to-kestrel and http://weblog.timaltman.com/node/856
maniel # Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:46:55 PM
Claudio Santambrogiocsant # Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:50:09 PM
Haavardhaavard # Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:53:36 PM
Originally posted by tcfialho:
We want to minimize the number of options when you install Opera, as they tend to confuse people. That is why Opera acts mostly like a standalone browser by default, and things like mail and chat need to be activated before they appear.
Originally posted by ReNoiZer:
For what reason?
This might be of interest:
http://my.opera.com/jax/blog/show.dml/24238
ThArGos # Sunday, June 24, 2007 1:03:01 PM
Thanks for putting so much efforts! And thanks for the UNIX improvments!
Raistlin # Sunday, June 24, 2007 1:43:45 PM
I've tested on Vista Business 32b [PL] on my Centrino Duo Laptop/1G ram and on Vista Business 64b [PL] on my Core 2 Duo Desktop/3G RAM.
I believe it will be fixed.
Second thing: within few weeks? Wuh. Why so long?
Third. I've reported it some time ago - when I set "nickname" for bookmark using space sign (ie. opera beta), it doesn't work. Bug? In prevoius version it works, but now doesn't
metaD # Sunday, June 24, 2007 2:00:42 PM
Yup, I know that user can easily change the look of a program if he/she don't like it but a first impression is important and I've heard few negative opinions about it. In my opinion, if you would like to increase the number of users of Opera - changing the default look will be a good idea. (Dealing with Flash problems on Linux system will be also nice ;] )
Anyway, I love this program
rseiler # Sunday, June 24, 2007 2:42:00 PM
Originally posted by Galileo:
The problem with that outlook is that it's not practical. Do you know how long Yahoo Mail has been in beta? Over a year. It's basically a perpetual beta at this point, very much like Google often practices. To wait until these "beta" periods are over is to miss the point.
ReNoiZer # Sunday, June 24, 2007 2:50:28 PM
I read that: http://my.opera.com/jax/blog/show.dml/24238
But I think:
If Opera Software is opening Opera(or only engine) under GPL then I'm sure Opera gain many more adherents from OpenSource system users and developers, a closer integration with opensource system
I think Presto no worse Gecko or KHTML. I think Presto better.
Opera Software an opportunity to expand business toward infusions from other companies, such as IBM, Sun, Google and other
I hope that Opera will be more open, than it is now.
DanielGEO # Sunday, June 24, 2007 3:19:21 PM
You mean we can close this thread:
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=173674 ?
This would be really good news - bec. Opera is the only browser I really enjoy to use - but it was a bit disappointing under Linux because of sometimes _really_ being slow.
Look foward for Kastrel!
And, ahh... btw: Really good job sofar! :thumbsup:
Daniel
skye11 # Sunday, June 24, 2007 3:46:50 PM
guess I'll add a couple requests too, like everyone else
1. File Size display (in Status Bar) when hovering over link
- or else allow us to stop (cancel) a navigation (ie. using 'esc')
- there's no way to halt navigation (ie. to pdf or dwnld file) to a huge file - you have to wait till it finishes downloading or displaying. Clicking 'Backspace' or 'Back' button in the middle of the navigation causes Opera to crash every time
2. Panel Icon Editor
several Panel icons have no individualized (recognizable) icon, they're all the same green globe, making it impossible to distinguish btwn those Panel buttons at a glance - it would be great to have a Panel Icon editor (for Prsl Bar icons too) in Rt-click menu
One strange problem is that after I edited (customized) one Panel icon, it is now also being mysteriously used (borrowed) by a particular Personal Bar icon - very strange behavior.
Looking forward to next weeklie...
Thanks Opera Team
OPC # Sunday, June 24, 2007 3:48:26 PM
George MachitidzeGioMac # Sunday, June 24, 2007 4:27:15 PM
Raistlin # Sunday, June 24, 2007 6:35:23 PM
In Windows Xp is everything fine.
Huib Kleinhouthuibk # Sunday, June 24, 2007 6:52:42 PM
If you can reproduce the problems more consistently, we'd appreciate if you report it. The problems you see could also be related to plugins that aren't fully compatible with Vista yet.
We're still working on the "censored" feature
Thanks for your report, we fixed this in 9.5!
rseiler # Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:35:26 PM
Originally posted by huibk:
Please don't tell me that no one in this thread has submitted a report:
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=176423
Since I came to the thread late (it started last winter), I naturally assumed that both issues had been reported several times over. If there was a searchable bug database, I could have verified that.
Uwe aka JaDaJada0007 # Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:59:34 PM
@Raistlin
The problem is Microsoft and VISTA and not Opera. Replace VISTA, using opensource Unix/Linux und you will be feel much happier
ChristianResearchWizard # Sunday, June 24, 2007 9:02:43 PM
Artur „Jurgi” JurgawkaJurgi # Sunday, June 24, 2007 9:42:28 PM
ChristianResearchWizard # Sunday, June 24, 2007 10:04:33 PM
If you just want to have a multiple line personal bar you can choose on right click: customize (should show dialog tab Toolbars + yellow border around personal bar) - Wrapping: Wrap to multiple lines.
Actually I kind of remember an option to limit the number of lines for this, but I don't know where right now and I'm not sure about this. Anyone else here?
rseiler # Sunday, June 24, 2007 10:53:24 PM
Originally posted by Jada0007:
Good thing you put a smiley after that, else some might take such nutty statements seriously. Smileys do serve a purpose after all.
WhineWhine # Sunday, June 24, 2007 10:59:33 PM
Originally posted by metaD:
Just because a couple of people don't like it? You'll always have someone who will complain about the default skin. You can't keep changing it just because someone is unhappy with it.
illiad # Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:35:41 PM
http://my.opera.com/community/customize/skins/
what is so difficult????
ChristianResearchWizard # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:05:22 AM
Besides that you're right of course :-)
PS: actually I expect a change in Opera's default skin(s)
Octavio Alvarezalvarezp # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:54:31 AM
--Huibk.
Dierk HaasisEvo2Me # Monday, June 25, 2007 8:53:38 AM
How about it, any possibility of seeing it in the near future [without going to Safari]?
serious # Monday, June 25, 2007 9:00:38 AM
e: are the bars moveable? I guessed so, as the view bar is at the bottom and outside the page (whereas in op9 it is inside the page). or did you simply place the stuff in another bar, that's located outside?
Nilshaystack baloon # Monday, June 25, 2007 9:02:44 AM
But at home it's messed up eith opera 9.21 and xp pro.
Have tryed to uninstalll and reinstall... no go.
Is this something to do with me downloading from desktop team?
Is there som sort of clean up before install procedure?
Have tried to delete programdata...
Maybe it has something to do with me always downloading the newest beta and just upgrading. instead of haveing beta installed to a diffrent folder....
Sorry for the bad englihs :-)
RSD # Monday, June 25, 2007 9:24:25 AM
You can move the bars in every Opera up, down, left and right.
Tuttle # Monday, June 25, 2007 10:07:43 AM
GroovyMicky # Monday, June 25, 2007 10:24:21 AM
Martins-valve # Monday, June 25, 2007 10:26:57 AM
nicname # Monday, June 25, 2007 10:28:06 AM
opera is different !!!!
but the other improvements sound great !
pincopallino # Monday, June 25, 2007 10:32:01 AM
Hans Bendiksenhansbendiksen # Monday, June 25, 2007 11:11:26 AM
http://my.opera.com/hansbendiksen/blog/2007/06/25/opera-9-50-is-already-crawling-the-web
The website is www.nordicrecords.no
GroovyMicky # Monday, June 25, 2007 11:12:19 AM
serious # Monday, June 25, 2007 11:50:39 AM
illiad # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:13:47 PM
- if you see a guy that is *very popular* with everybody, you mean you dont want to be like him???
ResearchWizard: yes, but if Opera then changes the 'default skin' will not the *same* problems arise??? problems will always arise, but as it is 'whithin the opera site' it can be solved quickly!(it takes 2 secs to change skin, less if you just delete the bad file..
Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco BudayOrff # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:17:51 PM
This is a major consern for someone like me, a philosophical Libertarian and Activist of the Canadian Libertarian Party and supporter and promoter of the Opera Browser, I like to limit conflicts in my life. Also filters and censors of sites and surfs and isps of state and other collectives.
Censorship of Images by Yahoo for Germany, China and Singapore.
FavDjiXas # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:36:14 PM
Luchio # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:38:16 PM
Why should the default skin NOT be changed? If everybody changes it, then there might be a problem with it, don't you think? Also, change is good once in a while. I however agree that this might have to wait until the next major release (i.e. 10.0).
@Orff
You are quite off-topic. Web browsers can't do much about web censorship since that is done at the DNS level (Domain Name Server). The only thing that can be done against country censorship is to use a proxy that is outside of your country. Opera already allows you to use proxies.
illiad # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:47:03 PM
Orff: yes, asking the browser to provide privacy is like closing the curtains in the morning naked, hoping no-one will see - instead of closing them before you get ready for bed at night!
ChristianResearchWizard # Monday, June 25, 2007 12:56:13 PM
Originally posted by ResearchWizard:
Originally posted by illiad:
The default skin is much more careful designed including quality management and adapted to new versions of Opera if needed - so I don't see the problems of my first point arise .
And I don't see my other points affected by your question (except that the time will come that the new default skin would have to be renewed some time again). They are especially against your argument that the skin could easily be changed.
I agree that there are more important things to do for the browser and there are also less important points. I think a change of the default skin is essential to spread Opera within the next two years.
illiad # Monday, June 25, 2007 1:02:28 PM
- a better user interface??
- solving the VISTA problems??
- CSS3, SVG, better JS??
- better screen features??
- 64 bit, better linux support??
I think many will beg to differ.....
Luchio # Monday, June 25, 2007 1:10:49 PM
ChristianResearchWizard # Monday, June 25, 2007 1:14:57 PM
Originally posted by ResearchWizard:
illiad # Monday, June 25, 2007 1:24:11 PM
Thorsten MeyerNordlicht # Monday, June 25, 2007 1:33:25 PM
browsing a site from the speeddial.
Daniel G. Blázquezyakichan # Monday, June 25, 2007 2:13:32 PM
Dan Schulz # Monday, June 25, 2007 3:39:24 PM