Some recent security breaches with Internet Explorer have awakened the interest in "alternative" browsers - alternatives to IE.

I have been using Opera for quite a while now, and want to praise some of its features through this discussion forum.

Well, let me start with negative aspects. First, the free version of Opera is supported by advertisements. They are not very intrusive, though.

Also, some Web sites have compatibility problems. It seems that Opera places a high value on Web standards - but some Web sites have only be tested with Internet Explorer, instead of using Web standards. So, sometimes they will not work. In extreme cases, the Web site will detect that you are not using Internet Explorer, and block you entirely!


Now, for the positive aspects. Here are some aspects which I personally like.

Integrated programs: A single program integrates a Web browser, an e-mail client, an NNTP client, a chat (IRC) client, and an RSS client (for newsfeeds).

Multiple windows within one main window. Personally I like this, but you can also use separate windows, as in IE.

Open new window in background. Keyboard and mouse shortcuts that will open a link in a new window, and in the background. Useful, for instance, for clicking on several news-items in CNN, etc.

Shows when a page finished loading. In the tabs that represents the pages, you have visual clues when a page finished loading. Frees you from cycling through several windows.

Zoom a window (text + graphics) to any reasonable factor.

The e-mail client, "M2", uses "views" instead of folders. This is supposed to simplify the organization of messages - although I am just starting to experiment with this. A single message can appear in different views - for instance, a view is automatically created for every person you receive email from.

Mouse gestures: quickly do common tasks with a movement of the mouse (holding the right mouse button): open a new window, close a window, forward, back, and others.

Multilingual: Get a small download for additional languages.

Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)