Opera Mini - Help us test our new US data centre

Help us test our new US data centre

By Kevin O. Monday, 8. September 2008, 13:58:14

As Opera Mini gains more users around the world we're trying to make sure that it works well for everyone. As part of this we're adding more of the data centres where the web pages you request are formatted, compressed and sent on their way to your phone. The first new data centre is in the USA.

To make this work we've had to make some changes in the Opera Mini server software. We need your help to test the system before we trust it with all the Opera Mini users (because that's a lot of people).

So, if you want to help you just need to download and install a special version of Opera Mini 4.1. It can be installed on your phone at the same time as the normal version. You can find it here:
http://mini.opera.com/globaltest/

Edit: The test client is called "Mini Global Test".

The main difference you'll probably notice is that page titles are all prefixed by either "[EU]" or "[US]" depending on which data centre you're currently using. You'll be allocated to one or another depending on where you are in the world and which is busier. There are some other changes and I'm curious to see if you spot them

Remember, this is a test so it might not always work correctly, we might sometimes have to make changes or fix things. You should keep your normal Opera Mini around as well.

More SVG support, and more fun with Outlook or FriendsterOpera Mini 4.2 beta available for testing!

Comments

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shallemne # 8. September 2008, 14:18

This is cool

First :-P

vishwaskrishna # 8. September 2008, 14:53

Just now downloaded it. Mine is US database. Hope there are good improvements.

NicoZandberg # 8. September 2008, 15:25

Yes another us database user here. Found a few bugs already wil report later.

LennyViDiViCi # 8. September 2008, 15:31

I Don't get the global version when I try to download on my pc. It just sends me to the regular phone selection page. I'll try sideloading this on my Nextel. I think it will just go in as an update, not a seperate install.

p.s. It just updated mini4.1

wolruf # 8. September 2008, 16:38

I'm surprised to use the [US] data center, connecting from Orange France, IP address being 193.253.141.80

NicoZandberg # 8. September 2008, 16:43

Think most of the testers will get us servers. Since it takes into account traffic. Since almost nobody is currently using that servers we will all get directed to them. Or that's just my theory. Would like to know how these servers now share or do not share cookies.

tvierling # 8. September 2008, 18:07

Well, 4.1 seems not to run out of memory nearly so often on my resource constrained Moto V360. That's a good sign. (Looks like image rendering might be lazy-instantiated to reduce active memory consumption.)

On the topic of hidden improvements, there's always room to improve the power users' "config:" page.

The minimum phonenumber detection length can only be set as high as 9, but a fully qualified US phone number is 10 digits.

manu6901 # 8. September 2008, 18:46

I appreciate the Opera mini initiative.
I noticed some fresh and good changes like a super fast browsing experience on US server !!

glad to be one of the first few to use it !!
keep it up Opera Team
cheers

Kitten85 # 8. September 2008, 19:03

Hmm... a Google as a default search! Thanks!!!
Now about bugs. I had forgotten my password for My Opera, and asked for new password. After that I followed a link in email, and was unable to login with new password... with Opera Mini 4.1 all worked ok, and I successfully logged in. After that I'm able to login with this version too.
And the second. When I'm entering wrong password on this site and some other (webmail at my work), pressing Back and filling the form again, it does not correctly sent to the site. I have to reload a login page to make it accept my credentials.

Added: Thanks for drag&drop in searches list! Not sure if it is a new feature, but I haven't noticed it before...

Furie # 8. September 2008, 19:15

US Server here.

Thought the shortcut for Find In Page was new but it's not.

Feeds no longer get synced with Opera Link...

danigoldman # 8. September 2008, 19:31

Downloaded...

Hawandaushe # 8. September 2008, 21:46

I just down loaded mini global test it is nice and fast.
Live score improvement is very nice too.
Addition of dictionary.com is very educative and helpful.
From K.B. Inuwa, kano, Nigeria.

Cois # 8. September 2008, 23:18

Playing with it now..
US server here too..

fmdbuso # 9. September 2008, 00:35

I HAVE BEEN USING OPERA MINI TWO YEARS,NO DISAPPOINTMENT ALWAYS FAST.I HELP MY FRIENDS TO DOWNLOAD IT.FROM ''SOUTH AFRICA''

Sastradmaja # 9. September 2008, 05:41

Run in my phone 6030 better than from norway. Kasian deh gue only 6030

Cois # 9. September 2008, 07:35

Two years and registered in September 2008?

NicoZandberg # 9. September 2008, 10:05

Now getting [eu] servers. Glad to see cookies is getting shared between servers without a hitch!

Sizzers # 9. September 2008, 10:35

Well maybe I am missing something because I can detect no difference in the functionality or features. Anyone?!! lol

NicoZandberg # 9. September 2008, 10:46

Yep, neither have i spotted the new 'feature' apart from the obvious server sharing. I've searched everywhere but without much luck. But the new us server did make a speed improvement. But i think opera mini's speed is now reaching its limits so i must admit. A great job by manageing to improve it further.

I noticed that content folding was now on by default. But i turned this off at opera:config so hope the new feature was not hidden in there. Also lost my rss feeds was not synced hope this would return in the final version.

keviniorourke # 9. September 2008, 11:46

Syncing of RSS feeds isn't supported on this test setup, we didn't want to risk losing your feeds in the normal Opera Mini.

Furie # 9. September 2008, 12:07

Cheers for the info dude.

Furie # 9. September 2008, 21:28

You guys can't find new features? I've noticed feeds display the titles differently for starters. A new feature isn't necessarily noticable. The fact that it swaps servers depending upon usage isn't a noticable new feature, but it impacts on your experience loads.

theoddbod # 9. September 2008, 23:58

Feeds look identical to me, Mik. I had the random 'big font' appear the first time, but it does that to me on the regular Mini too.

Another US server here.

artcraft # 10. September 2008, 01:17

Hi, from Maine (USA) -

That link to "globaltest" above doesn't work. I just get the standard Opera PC/Mini download page.

Is this testing offer 'over' or what?

Really love Mini 4.1, a definitely improvement in speed/features over 4.0. (Have been with Mini since 2.x and PC Opera since 3.x)

Opera Mobile is a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT. I installed the "trial period" one and it "does nothing" on my Nokia Communicator E90 'phone, with Symbian OS (S60 3rd).

The pages look great but there's no navigation.

Why would anybody pay for Mobile 8.65? Beats me! Until 9.x or a version that works is released, I'll skip it. Removed 8.65 from my Communicator after a few days' time.

Regards, Douglas
ARTCRAFT Music Rolls

Furie # 10. September 2008, 04:00

If you actually download it, you'll see the difference and that the link works.

Feed post titles are displayed differently Mart. I've had 4.1 and GT open at the same time to check it.

theoddbod # 10. September 2008, 06:25

I did the same, flicked back and forth between BBC News in both versions. Maybe it depends on the feed.

NicoZandberg # 10. September 2008, 08:37

Also alternated between the two and can also confirm there is no change in they way the feed titles look. Furie are you sure you compared it with the latest available official release of 4.1 ? I believe there was a small change with the previous release.

And in any case as far as i know rss gets formatted server side so a new mini should not really change the way it looks. Go to opera:config and ensure that the 'keep styling in rss' is in both cases the same. Or can you maybe just take a screenshot to show us, if it is indeed different?

Furie # 10. September 2008, 09:10

Just downloaded last week. I'll grab some screen to illustrate the difference. You watch, it wont bloody do it now.

sranjanm2002 # 10. September 2008, 09:30

Using Opera's US DC. Working very well on my K810i and i am on Vodafone IN Network.

Furie # 10. September 2008, 09:47

I was kidding but I was right.

dchz # 10. September 2008, 20:46

Dear Kevin O'Rourke,
Downloaded, and all is good.
I’m in Iran and I’m using "Mini Global Test" in my htc touch p3450 with windows 6. I have GPRS system provider, and in the same time adsl-wireless connection at home. & not always with good connection
•All the pages are titled [US]
•I opened all the most heavy journals pages as “le monde”, “La Republica” TV5…etc
•I change with simplicity speed dial & bookmarks.
•And all is synchronized with my desktop Opera
I think my biggest problem is that I can’t save anything, any page and any image, and I don’t know if it depends on my device or your software?
Anyway, I wish the best for you.

Furie # 10. September 2008, 21:15

47 views means that it's been looked at 47 times, not that there's 47 images.

dchz # 10. September 2008, 21:40

Sorry
You are right now is 49 views
47+you and me
my excuse to Kevin O'Rourke

tinhoy # 10. September 2008, 22:38

Trying to install on a LG LX570 (muziq) and I get a 907 invalid jar file error.

I even tried installing via a midlet uploader site and get error 907 invalid content manifest error.

jamaicaguy # 11. September 2008, 01:29

After the testing of the servers (US & EU).What next?
Are we going to get a beta release by the end of September?

tinhoy # 11. September 2008, 03:24

Ok, I got it to work by rezipping the jar prior to loading. Don't know why it worked, but it did.

Reading this thread, I noticed that when scrolling down with cursor the view automatically moves left and right to show the user icon then text. Is this new? Edit : it worked for me once but not now anymore... swear I wasn't dreaming. Anyway, the US server seems to be faster with less wait between Connecting and Processing.

keviniorourke # 11. September 2008, 07:00

For questions and discussion you might be better using the Opera Mini forum topic related to this:
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=249281

Some of your questions are already answered there.

GoJoeGo # 11. September 2008, 08:50

@artcraft: this is an Opera Mini blog. Opera Mobile is a different product. No need to post off-topic stuff like that

Oh, and the Opera Mini servers are in Oslo according to this.

Furie # 11. September 2008, 11:07

I know it's off topic but I just can't let that go unanswered. If you're considering the E90, take a look at the E71 first.

artcraft # 11. September 2008, 11:37

Hello,

I "deleted" my off-topic postings, viz. those which the Forum would allowed me to remove. (Some don't have the Edit/Delete option.)

Just noticed that the [US] and [EU] server indicators have disappeared on my page headers.

No big deal but it is a change in the URL display.

Regards, Douglas

ABHINAV202020 # 12. September 2008, 14:55

i will not use it. US pentagon has powers to store data entering and leaving us secretly...norway is a lot better

Furie # 12. September 2008, 15:41

The FBI is behind you.

ABHINAV202020 # 12. September 2008, 18:33

BUT i have always out roasted them...

_deXter_ # 13. September 2008, 04:43

Um, where do I download this from? mini.opera.com/globaltest is redirecting me to operamini.com with the normal 4.1 client! :S

Furie # 13. September 2008, 05:15

Use your phone.

artcraft # 13. September 2008, 13:43

Has the [EU] and the [US] addition to the "Globaltest" Mini 4.1 title disappeared on other cell 'phones?

At first, I could tell if it were American or European, but that extra feature disappeared a few days ago. (Just wondering.)

By the way, someone at Opera in Oslo - in the days of Mini 3.x - told me that their servers were in Stockholm, even though it's a Norwegian company.

Of course, I have no idea "where" [EU] and [US] servers are located now, but was curious.

So far, "Globaltest" seems to operate the same as the regular 4.1, except that I get a prompt for delete/move YES-or-NO in the "test" version.

Regards, Douglas

ABHINAV202020 # 14. September 2008, 13:56

the new version is not faster than norway's . it's just a bit slower. i did speed tests just now.that's cos opera has set up a much much smaller and weaker server in usa ..

artcraft # 14. September 2008, 14:11

Hello,

Since I can't tell if I'm running on [EU] or [US] at this point - see my posting above - I don't know which remote server is in use, right now.

On a PC I have "flying fingers" and Opera is one of few browsers which keeps up with me. (In the days of IBM typewriters and Composers, I typed so fast that there was a "catch up" buffer operation when the carriage return key was used.)

On this Nokia E90 Communicator (currently a wireless modem for my PC), I don't notice any difference between "Globaltest" and regular Mini 4.1, and I am still very fast with my index finger.

Is there some other way to gauge the speed of the Mini browser???

It's far, far faster than the Nokia default one and Blazer, back in my Palm OS days.

Am still using "Globaltest" more than the regular 4.1 in case some other changes occur - - or the {EU]/[US] designations return.

Regards, Douglas

ABHINAV202020 # 14. September 2008, 22:37

it's just a bit slower as i said . so you can't notice unless you measure. install them on pc and not phone and then you can measure time difference.

artcraft # 15. September 2008, 00:14

Thanks, re the speeds of the browser on the 2 servers.

Since I don't have to "wait" for URLs to set up - as with Chrome, IE 7 or SeaMonkey on the laptop - whatever Mini 4.1 speeds exist present no writing problems for me.

This is a WAP area with connections to a Dial-Up POP3 server, by the way, low tech when compared to other regions.

Cordially, Douglas

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