Minnesota Opera User Group: Minnesota, USA

I don't buy this

By Eddie Lopez. Thursday, 9. November 2006, 18:29:37

Specifically and personally, I think that Opera is a great tool for fans of those really big swiss-army knives. It's an everything-in-one approach, much like the original Mozilla Suite and Seamonkey, and that totally works for some people. However, the experience can be quite overwhelming for the average Web user. Chris Beard, Slashdot interview

I've never understood this... especially now that Firefox isn't generally thought of as the "bare bones" browser anymore. They are getting more and more feature rich with every release. Further, Opera's features *NEVER* get in the way. With the Swiss Army Knife, you can't get your fingers in there to get at the knife blade because it's wedged between the spoon, saw and screwdrivers. In Opera, that's just not the case at all. I'd at least understand the point if it was being made about a preference dialog or something, but to blanket statement like that (especially when Firefox is heading its way towards "feature rich") is rather odd.

When describing Firefox features, he goes on to say:

For those who don't need it, it's mostly out of the way and costs them nothing in terms of usability. But when you do need it, it's there, and it helps.

...which is exactly how I think of M2 (mail), IRC, Bittorrent,.... in Opera.

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Comments

DotEd # 17. January 2007, 17:33

I agree with you Eddie, his review seems a little shady. The "average web user" is unpredictable and may want many of Opera's features in an instant-on type of way, just as they are, rather than visiting other programs, flipping through multiple windows, etc to get those features. And you are correct, when not in use, those features within Opera are completely hidden.

It's funny that all other browsers are emulating Opera's existing features, then comparing them to Opera as if Opera has a problem, lack of features, or too many. Give them all a little time, and they'll start using the color red and claim they chose it first.

Light user or power user, it's hard to complain about Opera.

...and can someone please tell me why Internet Explorer STILL saves things all over the place in windows?! HA HA...

Eddie_Lopez # 17. January 2007, 18:28

Light user or power user, it's hard to complain about Opera

Exactly. Well said. Of course, I'm not exactly saying I think every browser should be able to appeal to every user. I'm sure the company wants that, but I'm fine with Opera being for "technical users." I just don't think it is. It's fine for most everyone.

I should follow up with my dad and ask him if he still uses Opera at home.