Opera Mini Blog

I use OM many times a day every day. And since that idiotic switch to Yahoo, OM has become a daily source of frustration. Being moved from G to Y is like being returned to the stone age. I'd even be happy to pay for a version with google. Please, please Opera, bring it back.

Really! Then how come they were able to change it? If it had been built into the Opera Mini client it would not have been possible.

It is entirely possible, J2ME has facilities for persistent storage, that's probably where they put the start page (and the bookmarks, etc.) In fact, it is not possible for the start page to be on an Opera server, because a MIDlet has to ask for permission to go online, and OM doesn't do this when displaying the start page, only after entering a URL of selecting a bookmark.

BTW, kind of disappointing that there still is no official reply from Opera on this problem.

Originally posted by ettpok:

I'm quite disappointed with Opera Software now...but very disappointed with Yahoo! for using this kind of dirty tactics to sell their useless search engine.

I'm very disappointed with humanity for producing so morally corrupted individuals as the ones we see here... I mean, complaining that Opera changes its own product! Double standards at best, but I fear that this is what's wrong with large parts of humanity: Knee-jerk reactions from egotistical individals who want to force their search engine of choice (Google) on others, and who get angry when someone doesn't indulge their desires.

Originally posted by aaargh:

It is entirely possible, J2ME has facilities for persistent storage, that's probably where they put the start page (and the bookmarks, etc.)

Whatever you may think, it's still kept online, on Opera's own site (otherwise the problem that a few people lose their bookmarks/newsfeeds wouldn't exist). At best, it is probably a local cache which is refreshed regularly.

But the point is: Wanting to dictate what someone else puts on their site is evil.

BTW, kind of disappointing that there still is no official reply from Opera on this problem.

What problem? Opera has changed the search provider. There's nothing more to say about this matter.

Knee-jerk reactions from egotistical individals who want to force their search engine of choice (Google) on others

I don't want to force my search engine on others, Yahoo! does, make it configurable, I'm fine with that. Besides, it's not like there is a choice in search engines. Google is the only real search engine out there. All others are just feeble attempts at best. There simply is nothing to choose. Yahoo! is worthless as a search engine, it just doesn't do what is is supposed to: get me the results I need.

Whatever you may think, it's still kept online, on Opera's own site

No, it's not. A J2ME application CAN NOT access the web without permission from the user. OM asks for permission AFTER the start page is displayed. The start page is LOCAL.

What problem? Opera has changed the search provider.

No, Opera has removed the search provider and replaced it with Yahoo!, which is NOT a search provider because it doesn't actually DO anything.
It's not that I'm complaining because they changed search providers, they removed it and 'replaced' it with something completely useless.

"We will also soon start switching existing users to Y! Search"

Bunch of wise guys eh?

You know after using Opera since 2000, had to change when 9.0 came out since you became all wise. Now same thing with Operamini 3.0, I'm going back to OperaMini2.0.

That sentance you said there above, I already hear Bill Gates saying with MSN search. Great, *claps/

So no further comments from the OM people?? You have 50+ responses to this article, nearly every one saying how disappointed they are that you made this idiotic switch to a lesser search engine.

I still tell people about OM and have them install it on their phones, but now I have to add the caveat that you are using a far inferior search engine.

Get with the times, yahoo is done. Lets get Google back!

I agree with most people. Give google back, or at least an option somewhere, so we can change it!

FOR YAHOO LOVERS - This is not about GOOGLE or YAHOO...

This is about SEVERELY CHANGING BEHAVIOUR OF APPLICATION THAT IS IN USE (without any warning!) and not providing EVEN OPTIONAL SETTINGS for what long term users got used to.

What would you do if Opera 9.10 (PC) would disable some feature that you very frequently use without ANY NOTIFICATION? You would SWITCH to Firefox or IE. But in mobile java world - YOU DON'T HAVE OTHER CHOICE.

This is classic MONOPOLISTIC BEHAVIOUR!!!

It's 1 thing to offer free software which people download, try and then continue to use or remove, but to let people to get used to something for year or more and then just change behaviour and block arguably most used feature in OM...

I don't even recall masters of monopoly - Microsoft doing anything this ARROGANT! They tried force WGA, but behind your back. This is like forcing something on you and then lough to your face.

Originally posted by aaargh:

I don't want to force my search engine on others, Yahoo! does

Wrong. You are complaining that your search engine of choice is not the one being forced on people. I didn't see you complain when it was Google being forced on people.

No, it's not. A J2ME application CAN NOT access the web without permission from the user. OM asks for permission AFTER the start page is displayed. The start page is LOCAL.

Wrong. If anything, it is cached, in which case it's still Opera's page.

Originally posted by n_v:

FOR YAHOO LOVERS - This is not about GOOGLE or YAHOO...

Of course it is. You want to force YOUR search engine of choice on other people, and complain when it isn't.

This is about SEVERELY CHANGING BEHAVIOUR OF APPLICATION THAT IS IN USE

Wrong. It is about changing a cached web page.

This is classic MONOPOLISTIC BEHAVIOUR!!!

Hyperbole does not help your cause, Google employee. It's funny, though, since Google is more than a monopoly than Opera. And you seem to support Google's monopolistic behavior.

I don't even recall masters of monopoly - Microsoft doing anything this ARROGANT!

You seem to be forgetting that you are using Opera Mini for free, and basically leeching off Opera's server capacity every single time you use the program.

This isn't arrogant. It's business. That you are crying about your search engine of choice not being forced on other people anymore is simply ridiculous.

This is like forcing something on you and then lough to your face.

So, when your stuff is forced on other people there is no problem, but as soon as something else is used instead, you complain.

There's one word to sum up your and other posts: Hypocrisy.

Wrong. You are complaining that your search engine of choice is not the one being forced on people. I didn't see you complain when it was Google being forced on people.

There where no complaints because virtually everyone wants Google. You don't seriously consider Yahoo! an alternative do you ? Yahoo! search is not just inferiour, it's pathetic.
I've never seen or heard of anyone use any Yahoo! product. If Yahoo! disappeared of the face of the earth, I don't think anyone would care or even notice. (at least in this part of Europe).

Wrong. It is about changing a cached web page.

Ah, so if it's "just a web page", what is it's URL ? The start page is NOT a normal webpage, and it's not just cached. E.g. you can't get page information for it, you can for every other page. It never expires from the 'cache'. And AFAIK OM doesn't cache anything in the recordstore. The only thing in there are the settings, bookmarks and the startpage. It's not a cache, it's part of the program, it's just not hardcoded.

The best proof it's not just some web page on Opera's servers: you can alter the page without EVER going online. Just add of remove a bookmark from your start page. The page is altered but there is no request to go online.

Originally posted by aaargh:

There where no complaints because virtually everyone wants Google.

Wow, way to rationalize your own hypocrisy.

Ah, so if it's "just a web page", what is it's URL ?

How on earth would I know?

What we do know is that Opera Mini is a thin client which does everything through a server, so without the server, Opera Mini is useless.

You can whine all you want about "your program". Well fine, make it "your program", but get the hell off Opera's servers then.

To put things back in right context since mr. nelsson made quite of confusion:

1. "Wrong. It is about changing a cached web page." - HTML and all companion technologies are not able to show ICONS in combo box (I am referring to behavior of home "page"). Conclusion - it's application form. However - all this discussion about "nature" of home "page" totally miss point.

1a. Confronted with question about page URL you say: "How on earth would I know." - You should not claim things that you don't know or don't understand.

2. When I mentioned MONOPOLY and MS, I said "NOT EVEN MS" - that means NOBODY regardless if software is free or not. I dare you to find similar example of cutting frequently used functionality instead of expanding it + doing it without notification of user.

3. On my "This is about SEVERELY CHANGING BEHAVIOUR OF APPLICATION THAT IS IN USE" ...? Ah, there was no comment on that accept that from points 1 and 1a. Nice.

4. "This is not about Google and Yahoo..." - It was not, because if it was, I would argue that one search web to FIND what he is looking for and then I would give examples of search in both engines and argue which one is more relevant. But, this is not point of interest.

5. "Google is more than a monopoly than Opera." Not in mobile Java webbroser market. Also, there is a diference of having monopoly and abusing it (later one is what we call "monopolistic behaviour").

6. "You seem to be forgetting that you are using Opera Mini for free, and basically leeching off Opera's server capacity every single time you use the program." I have suggestion then. Since yahoo search is also free, let's stop leeching capacity from their servers.
GMail is also free... It gives them right to do whatever they want with data from my email account? Or "just" to disable inbox? I don't thing so. I also wonder... how Google became so big when ALL services we are using there are free and we are ALL leeching capacity of their servers?? AMAZING! (This was rhetoric question)

Originally posted by n_v:

Conclusion - it's application form.

Conclusion: Opera Mini is useless without Opera's servers, and the data is controlled by the servers. Opera's servers (and bandwidth) are Opera Software's property, and you have no right to dictate what Opera does with its own property. Opera put the search field there, and it's useless without you leeching off Opera's bandwidth and server capacity.

When I mentioned MONOPOLY and MS, I said "NOT EVEN MS"

Opera Mini is not a monopoly, no matter how hard you pretend that it is. There are lots of browsers out there. Yes, even Java browsers/thin clients.

I dare you to find similar example of cutting frequently used functionality instead of expanding it

No functionality has been removed. Get over yourself. And even if that were the case, it's still Opera Software's property and bandwidth, so you have no right to complain.

On my "This is about SEVERELY CHANGING BEHAVIOUR OF APPLICATION THAT IS IN USE" ...?

No it isn't. Opera Mini still browses websites as it was designed to do. And even if it stopped doing that you have nothing to complain about, because Opera Mini uses Opera Software's servers and bandwidth to work. As such, you are leeching off Opera's bandwidth, and therefore they are entitled to cut you off at any time if they wish. You have no right to dictate what Opera Software does to its property.

"This is not about Google and Yahoo..."

It is. You are spewing out misinformation and lies because your search engine of choice is no longer forced on people.

"Google is more than a monopoly than Opera." Not in mobile Java webbroser market.

LOL. Opera does not have a monopoly, so stop lying about it.

Also, there is a diference of having monopoly and abusing it (later one is what we call "monopolistic behaviour").

One can't abuse a monopoly if there is no monopoly.

6. "You seem to be forgetting that you are using Opera Mini for free, and basically leeching off Opera's server capacity every single time you use the program." I have suggestion then. Since yahoo search is also free, let's stop leeching capacity from their servers.

I don't know if you are that stupid or if you are pretending to be, but Yahoo makes money because people use their services. But since you use their services for free you have no right to complain at all, because you don't own their servers and bandwidth. Yahoo owns Yahoo's property.

GMail is also free... It gives them right to do whatever they want with data from my email account? Or "just" to disable inbox? I don't thing so.

Actually yes, they do. GMail can close any account for any reason. I believe it's right their in their terms of service. As for handling data, there are laws for that, but those laws do not require Google (or Opera) to continue offering you a free service if they don't want to.

And the search field in Opera Mini is not your data, it is Opera's data. Opera put it there, not you.

I also wonder... how Google became so big when ALL services we are using there are free and we are ALL leeching capacity of their servers?? AMAZING!

It's got nothing to do with being big, and Google is actually making money every single time you search for something. Opera, however, does not make any money when you surf around. But that's besides the point. The point here is that Opera Mini is like Google's website. If Google changes its site you have no right to demand that they undo the changes. The service is free. You do not own Google's servers or service. It is theirs to do as they wish. Get it? You have no rights what so ever to dictate how Google (or Opera) handles its own property.

nelsson, let's support your claims (intead of repeating "No, it isn't"):

1. What is other Java browser that we can use on mobile phone?
Also read these before your next post:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly

2. What is ANOTHER example of this kind (however you call it - removing of functionality or otherwise)?
You should have at least some, if not many, since you claim this action to be perfectly normal. We are waiting for your answer 3+ posts already.

Some other points:

- Like Opera does not get fee for EVERY ACTION you make with it, same stands for Google search. You can make search that will show no add-ons for search result, and click link of website that has no deal with Google. For Yahoo and MSN might be different, since initial search page itself is full of banners.

- There are some ethical guidelines for service providers, not following then, they are loosing users and thus loosing MONEY.

I think those questions are essence of disagreement:
- Is it what they did ethical or not?
- Did they abuse fact that you don't have VALUABLE ALTERNATIVE if any for Opera Mini?

- "And the search field in Opera Mini is not your data, it is Opera's data. Opera put it there, not you." - This sound like speech of some imaginary world's dictator.

Can't we just make everyone here happy with the following statement?

"We'd like to be able to choose our search engine from the home page. You (Opera) may default to whatever you'd like, but we'd like to have the ability to use something else."

nelsson- you have a good point about double standards, but clearly a choice would satisfy all parties? If Opera forced google or Yahoo! that's not good. You're right, I didn't complain about google because I don't really care.. I find that a search engine is search engine for the most part. I get my results just as well with Yahoo! thus far.

Further, all you Yahoo! haters need to also realize that (I believe) Yahoo! will move over to the OneSearch technology when it's ready to go live. This will be more than just the standard Yahoo search engine and may very well provide a better experience on mobile devices than google currently can... at the very least, it's *designed* to be a mobile search engine instead of one that's built with the assumption that you have a desktop in front of you.

A quote of my own post:

Originally posted by Chamie:

Originally posted by Dennis_Hawks:

Originally posted by nelsson:

Odd. From what I hear, Yahoo is better at non-Western languages. At least Chinese and such.

The issue is not with the support of non-Western languages themselves, but with the way and level of indexing web content, presented in these languages, which is, apparently, not full or efficient as it was and is in G search.

Not only. Yahoo doesn't support morphological changes of words, like Google and russian search engines do.
E.g. when i search for "фанаты Фрай" in Google [go check] i get also "фанатов Фрая" and all the other forms of these words. While a searc query in Y! gives me only the pages containing the original forms of "фанаты" and "Фрай" [check out]

Originally posted by Edie Lopez:
"We'd like to be able to choose our search engine from the home page. You (Opera) may default to whatever you'd like, but we'd like to have the ability to use something else."
This is quite correct, but not possible (I’ll explain later why), and that’s what made me to send post in the first place.
"nelsson - you have a good point about double standards…"
In my opinion Google was not forced on users. Google was only party interested for Opera Mini users when Opera Mini was at its beginning. Also, by their presence, they contributed at the early stages for Opera Mini to gain credibility and recognition. Yahoo did not care about Opera Mini.
After Opera Mini reached reported 10 million users Yahoo started to care.
1 year contract with Google expired; Opera Inc. invited more parties to make offers for new agreement and what happened?
- To understand situation better we have to think for the moment about "default" solution.
If users have choice of search engine, being default don’t mean much because eventually users will switch to their favorite options and we will get situation similar to general market share of search engines (with Google in big lead). Consequence of this is that "default" option is not very valuable. Google will win most of revenue no matter who is default option. Yahoo is not interesting in that option for the same reason.
At the end Yahoo paid irrational amount for banning Google out, or to say officially "for exclusivity". That’s the reason why we don’t have Google search to choose in secondary search next to Wikipedia, Google News, BBC…
Even worse, we will not see our choice option until contract with Yahoo expire.
I was not surprised with Yahoo’s actions in this case, but with Opera Inc’s.
They did not consider ethical aspect, impact on users or respect for Google being there to support their project from the very beginning.
They behaved like…

How many times in this thread do I have to mention this to get even a hint of acknowledgment!?!?

OneSearch is different than Yahoo! search

As near as I can tell from the confusing press releases and articles, it is going to be on Mini in place of the Yahoo! search (pitch in any time Opera reps! I've been asking this all over with no answer) While ultimately you may not like it either, please at least *consider* it might be something that maybe Opera thought might be a better experience for mobile users. After all- this is search engine designed around giving mobile users the information they need while reducing the number of clicks and page loads. I think that's worth considering. Maybe... just MAYBE Opera thought that as well.

While I'm not saying that money isn't a factor (Opera is a business, and they do have to pay their employees, no fault there), and I'm not also not saying OneSearch is better than Google, can we at least get *someone* to at least acknowledge it?

Yahoo! search != Yahoo! OneSearch.

Originally posted by Eddie Lopez:

How many times in this thread do I have to mention this to get even a hint of acknowledgment!?!?

OneSearch is different than Yahoo! search

As near as I can tell from the confusing press releases and articles, it is going to be on Mini in place of the Yahoo! search (pitch in any time Opera reps! I've been asking this all over with no answer) While ultimately you may not like it either, please at least *consider* it might be something that maybe Opera thought might be a better experience for mobile users. After all- this is search engine designed around giving mobile users the information they need while reducing the number of clicks and page loads. I think that's worth considering. Maybe... just MAYBE Opera thought that as well.

While I'm not saying that money isn't a factor (Opera is a business, and they do have to pay their employees, no fault there), and I'm not also not saying OneSearch is better than Google, can we at least get *someone* to at least acknowledge it?

Yahoo! search != Yahoo! OneSearch.

heh, the main difference of "1search" i discovered by press releases is that this thing is even MORE USA-oriented. So it'll be practically useless for all the other world users.

Chamie,

Fair enough, that's a good point.

I *try* to mediate* between the google and yahoo factions, but I'll just step aside and let you all have it

......proceed.....


*they call me "the peacemaker" ... or maybe it's "the piece maker" I'm not really sure.

at the very least, it's *designed* to be a mobile search engine instead of one that's built with the assumption that you have a desktop in front of you.

Wasn't the whole point of OM being able to use the 'normal' grown-up web instead of a limited mobile-only web.

Agreed- but just because it *can* use the whole web doesn't mean they shouldn't optimize the user experience?

OM can render web pages just fine so there's not any barrier to the user, and if Yahoo! wants to tailor to the mobile market, why can't they?

I don't think a "mobile tailored" experience is is mutually exclusive from the "normal" grown up web.

You say "limited" like its' preventing you from using google or whatever. It's not designing something with the users conditions in mind is different than "limiting" the design.

Originally posted by n_v:

In my opinion Google was not forced on users.

Sure it was.

Google was only party interested for Opera Mini users when Opera Mini was at its beginning.

Huh?! How do you know, and how is that relevant?

Also, by their presence, they contributed at the early stages for Opera Mini to gain credibility and recognition.

Nonsense.

Yahoo did not care about Opera Mini.

So what? They apparently do now.

After Opera Mini reached reported 10 million users Yahoo started to care.

Welcome to the free market! Communists need not apply.

Even worse, we will not see our choice option until contract with Yahoo expire.

This is getting silly. Who on earth made you the spokesperson of everyone else?

They did not consider ethical aspect,

Ethical aspect?! What, you think it's ethical to let hypocrites who whine only when their choice isn't forced on everyone else dictate what someone does to their own property?

impact on users or respect for Google being there to support their project from the very beginning.

What do you know about support or no support? Really, what do you know? How do you know that Google didn't offer Opera piss poor terms? We all know that Google is in bed with Mozilla.

You are making assumptions and showing your hypocricy, as I have demonstrated all along.

Well...

I made my point of view very clear and argumented.

For mr.nelsson:

Your comments: "Yes, it is.", "No, it isn't." and lack of any quality in discusion tells me that you are in "denial phase".

Although, I am glad that we succeded to learn you diference between html page and application form, how to avoid addsence in google search, definition of monopoly and other stuff. We pointed you in right direction, now you are on your own...

Why am I not surprised that n_v is unable to answer any of my comments?

He knows that I am right, and now tries a cheap cop-out instead of simply admitting defeat. I have exposed him as a hypocritical whiner who makes up excuses for why it's OK to force his search engine of choice on others, but not OK for other search engines to be forced on him.

And he even ignores the fact that Opera Mini is a free product, and that he is using Opera's bandwidth and server resources, and yet he thinks they are evil for doing things that may be necessary to keep the service running so that he can continue to leech off of Opera's hard work.

It gets even worse when he glorifies Google and assumes that Google has acted in good faith regarding Opera, when everyone knows that Google and Mozilla are VERY close, and Mozilla is competing with Opera in the browser market.

Originally posted by nelsson

"Why am I not surprised that n_v is unable to answer any of my comments?"

Bro, each those 3 paragraphs, in which you finally wrote some meaningfull sentences, are unswered long time ago (some of them even several times).

However, I did not answer comments like "So what?" and "You make me laugh!".

If you re-read our conversation carefully, you will see that you are the one that skipped to give support to his claims.

Senile?
Your nose can grow if you do this, you know?

And yet again, n_v is able to reply without actually responding to anything, because he knows that he has lost the discussion. And anyone who reads this will see his hypocrisy and shake their heads.

Oh, and for the English impaired: "So what?" usually means that the person saying that wants you to explain why the claim you just made is relevant to anything.

Originally posted by nelsson:

"And anyone who reads this will see his hypocrisy and shake their heads."

If you supported valuable arguments so far, you don't need to do buzz marketing for your ideas.

Let others people read and make conclusion on their own. I'm perfectly fine with that.

Guys luks like they heard u.Today i reinstalled om cz of formattg my mem card n guess what,i got google as default search engine.Go check this out.

It doesn't matter if Opera heard "you" or not (why should Opera listen to people who want to force their search engine of choice on others?).

What matters is that Opera can't just ignore its contractual obligations with Yahoo. I doubt that the contract allows Opera to drop Yahoo in the near future.

I loved opera mini, it had made mobile web browsing a useful part of my life. The switch to Y! has pissed me off.

I want to add to the calls for choice. Yahoo search is just no damn good! I want to be able to make my own choice of search engine. They can make it the default if they like, but i want ot be able to choose a different one if i want to. Why can't google or another decent search engine be added as a choice to the second search box (where wikipedia is the default)?

This change has made me start looking for another mobile web browser.

Wow ernestrome, your concern for people's freedom of choice is touching.

But hold on for a second! Where were you when it was Google that was forced on people! I didn't see you around here waving the flag of freedom to choose away Google?!

Hypocrisy does not make you look good, my friend.

The point is, yahoo search is very poor, and google's was adequate. Maybe you should address that point nelsson.

I don't have to address it because it's pure subjective opinion.

I don't like yahoo search, and i want to be able to pick something different. At this point that would be google search, but i'm not wedded to them for any reason, it just works.

Why does no one from opera care enough to respond to users complaints about this change?

Opera has responded to complaints, but there's nothing anyone can do. A contract is a contract.

What the hell did you expect Opera to do? Breach the contract and be sued to oblivion by Yahoo? And what if Opera actually thinks this is better for Opera Mini? Who are you to demand that Opera force YOUR choice of search engine on everyone? Hypocritical, that's what it is.

I think i will change phones and start using minimo.

Originally posted by ernestrome:

I think i will change phones and start using minimo.

Good luck!

Especially considering that:

• Minimo is dead (no development)
  
• Minimo is extremely buggy and nearly useless
  
• Minimo only runs on certain versions of Windows Mobile
  
• Minimo downloads EVERYTHING, making surfing extremely expensive
  
• ...and so on
  

nelsson,
Quit pretending naivete. You know perfectly well why people who prefer Google weren't asking for choice before. It's because the search provided was their choice. That's not hypocrisy because they did not demand an absence of choice. They were being silent. There is a clear difference, and I'm tired of your haraunging on such an obviously incorrect argument.

Before the switch, were you begging Opera to make Yahoo the search default? Apparently you're not upset now because Y! is *your* preference.

Here's a fact: more people on the web use Google than Yahoo. That suggests that they might prefer it on mobile as well.

And the fact that there was no hew and cry on the scale of this thread when Google was the default further supports that claim.

It's OM's prerogative to put whatever they want on the default home page. But if they are acting rationally, they're hoping more people will use their service and thereby bring the company more money.

The search switch may not send hordes of people away from OM, but if enough users find enough displeasure, they will switch.

You sarcastically wish people luck with trying other browsers, saying that OM is the best. OM may be for now, but it leads by a lesser margin for many people because of the search switch.

I am not sure of the particulars of the OM/Y! agreement, but if it allows for providing choice, OM should. If it does not allow that (much as some bookmarks can't be edited off the main page), I'd say that was a poor choice for providing the best user experience. It won't keep me from using OM -- for now. But eventually someone will find a browser that offers similar features and either Google as the default search or a choice of my default search. I'll certainly check that browser out and possibly jump ship.

Originally posted by btimlake:

You know perfectly well why people who prefer Google weren't asking for choice before. It's because the search provided was their choice.

Exactly my point.

As long as their search engine of choice was forced on others, they remained silent.

That's not hypocrisy because they did not demand an absence of choice.

It is hypocrisy because they complain that their search engine of choice is no longer forced on people, while they said nothing when their search engine of choice was forced on everyone.

Before the switch, were you begging Opera to make Yahoo the search default? Apparently you're not upset now because Y! is *your* preference.

I haven't said anything about which one I prefer.

Here's a fact: more people on the web use Google than Yahoo. That suggests that they might prefer it on mobile as well.

"Billions of flies can't be wrong: eat shit!"

"Internet Explorer is clearly the best browser since it has 80-90% market share."

You sarcastically wish people luck with trying other browsers, saying that OM is the best.

I cannot recall having said that OM is the best. I have, however, pointed out how certain other browsers basically suck major ass.

I am not sure of the particulars of the OM/Y! agreement, but if it allows for providing choice, OM should.

Where were you when people had no choice but to use Google?

But eventually someone will find a browser that offers similar features and either Google as the default search or a choice of my default search. I'll certainly check that browser out and possibly jump ship.

Good for you. In the meantime, you are using a completely free product. And not only that, but you are leeching off Opera's servers and bandwidth.

Opera should be ashamed of themselves for this sell out to Yahoo. When i first discovered opera, it was a browser built for THE USER. ENTIRELY. I started using it because I was sick and tired of Microsoft ramming stuff down the throats of its users with no regard for WHAT THEY WANT (and the fact Firefox was a bit immature). Opera was more advanced than firefox and you could tell the coders/testers put alot of hard time and effort into getting the product right. No crashes, maximum compliance with W3C stds and features which the user community wanted.


Now this Yahoo thing? First thing I did when I found out this was not changeable was to unistall opera mini. And I'm thinking about doing the same with Opera too. The newest releases of opera (9.x) are EXTREMELY buggy and always crash when more than a couple of tabs are open. I would even venture to say IE7 is better coded (gasp!!!) (hey, it doesnt ROUTINELY crash). And this is on multiple machines running XP SP2 default configs, so no excuses for any of it. IMHO Mozilla has the crown as the best, most USER ORIENTED browser on the market.

Opera has lost sight of what it's competitive advantages are. OPERA'S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IS LISTENING TO USERS AND MAKING A PRODUCT !!!!THEY!!!! WANT. Ask your userbase. NOBODY wants yahoo as their search engine. GET RID OF IT OR AT LEAST PROVIDE USERS A CHOICE. THIS LOCKIN BUSINESS, WHILE GOOD FOR YOUR BOTTOM LINE, IS DRIVING YOUR USERS AWAY. SMARTEN THE FUCK UP. or you will kill a once good company and a once good product.... if you haven't already

IS THERE ANY LINK TO OPERA MINI 3.0 NON YAHOO-SHITWARED? previous versions should be offered so that we don't have to deal with the mess of a search engine that is yahoo.

congrats, you have bastardized a once great product. Worst upgrade ever. Not even an upgrade, more like a downgrade. Removing user choice is a BAD BAD BAD BAD business decision. Learn a lesson from what happened to IE. ALLOW USERS THE CHOICE.

tekg's rant basically boils down to this:

"You stopped forcing my choice of search engine on others, and therefore you are evil. Stop choosing things without my approval! Start forcing people to use my favorite search engine again!"

Originally posted by tekg:

IS THERE ANY LINK TO OPERA MINI 3.0 NON YAHOO-SHITWARED?

No, because the start page is basically a web site. It is not actually created/stored on the phone. You have no right to demand that Opera changes its web site to force your search engine of choice on everyone else.

We want google back. No one cares what you think of that nighead.

Google didn't go anywhere. Just go to google.com.

As for demanding that Opera forces your choice of search engine on everyone else: Screw you.

Don't pretend to be talking on behalf of everyone else, and don't pretend that you can dictate Opera's actions. Hypocrite.

Well, Opera Mini is great, however Yahoo search is pathetic... What results? Where? I agree, Opera should give users the option of choosing their own engine or at least changing to another. I won't remove opera but really, Yahoo... How 3rd world!...

You haven't even tried OneSearch. What's pathetic is to whine about something you haven't even tried or bothered to give a fair chance. What's even more pathetic is to whine about one's search engine of choice not being forced on other people.

oh for heavens sake, next thing you'll be telling me that I have to believe in evolution because it's the default religion of the 21st century! All I asked for was the option to choose another search engine.

all debate aside, it's not like this is the pivotal democratic or business debate of the decade... i prefer google because it's consistently produced superior results. i therefore am perturbed that opera mini has taken the yahoo route. i don't disagree with the flamers who delight in picking apart those who want google back on the start page: it was no more fair to have google as the only option before this change. the google version did, however, have the side effect of making start page based searching more productive and useful. again, it's merely opinion, and even though the statistics agree with me, opera doesn't have to, nor do the flamers. if i'm unable to mod the app to meet my needs with a local, google enabled start page, i hope to find others who have already; their agreement will be sufficient. and i'll use google to find them, because i don't have all day