Opera
As the second-oldest internet browser currently in use and with more than 200 million users worldwide, Opera is a top internet browser in its own right. Opera is a multimodal browser, meaning it contains features that enable multiple modes of interfacing with the browser – think keyboard shortcuts and voice commands. Subsequently, the internet browser is ideal for users with motor or visual impairments.
Opera’s multimodal interaction is just one of its many cutting-edge features, and the browser also boasts competitive launch and page-load times and comprehensive user support. Such well-rounded capabilities would make Opera a first-rate internet browser, if not for some hindering compatibility issues.
Opera is known for debuting original browsing features that have become standard on most internet browsers, including tabbed browsing and built-in search. Opera continues to stay ahead of the curve with a new integrated mail client, one-click bookmarking and tab stacks. The latter is a tab grouping mechanism that allows you to stack related tabs vertically rather than horizontally.
As mentioned above, Opera delivers versatile multimodal interaction. For instance, it is possible to control virtually every aspect of the browser with a keyboard. You can use voice commands to navigate the web and even have the browser read text to you. Opera also supports mouse gestures, which are similar to keyboard shortcuts but with the mouse. These features alone make Opera a more accessible browser for a wider range of users than many of its competitors.
Opera is extremely robust in terms of features and is noticeably lacking only one feature that we looked for in internet browsers: parental controls. They aren’t a necessity but the inclusion of the controls would make the browser more apt for family households.
Opera has security features in place that will check websites you are trying to visit for malware and phishing schemes. The browser also uses advanced encryption when you are visiting a secure website and provides the option of erasing all private data, such as browsing history and cookies. The latter is convenient if you are browsing on a shared computer.
The internet browser allows you to customize your security settings. For example, you can turn off the option to have the browser check each site you visit for security threats, even though doing so can leave your system vulnerable.
As most internet browsers do, Opera claims to be the fastest browser available, and on most accounts it delivers highly competitive speeds. Opera takes only a few seconds to start up and load pages and it is remarkably fast at running applications.
Where Opera seems to struggle the most is in terms of compatibility. The internet browser is not nearly as well-known as many of its top competitors, and we sometimes came across websites the browser could not display.
The latest version of Opera delivers a refined user interface, one that boasts a clean, featherweight design that emphasizes the content and not the browser. It may take you a bit to learn how to take advantage of the browser’s full capabilities, but overall Opera is intuitive and easy to use once you become familiar with how it works.
You can purchase a premium support package that comes with email support. However, there is enough online information that chances are you won’t need the supplementary support. Online you’ll find tutorials, FAQs and a knowledgebase. Opera’s web forums also prove to be a valuable resource; in addition to submitting bugs and known issues, you can also ask questions and interact with other users.
Summary:
Opera’s compatibility issues are likely to be the deciding factor for many prospective users, but more and more websites become compatible with the browser each day. And while Opera may not have the firm backing of a major corporation like our other top-ranked internet browsers, it manages to stay on par with the competition with its robust feature set, advanced security protocols and rapid speeds.
As the second-oldest internet browser currently in use and with more than 200 million users worldwide, Opera is a top internet browser in its own right. Opera is a multimodal browser, meaning it contains features that enable multiple modes of interfacing with the browser – think keyboard shortcuts and voice commands. Subsequently, the internet browser is ideal for users with motor or visual impairments.
Opera’s multimodal interaction is just one of its many cutting-edge features, and the browser also boasts competitive launch and page-load times and comprehensive user support. Such well-rounded capabilities would make Opera a first-rate internet browser, if not for some hindering compatibility issues.
Opera is known for debuting original browsing features that have become standard on most internet browsers, including tabbed browsing and built-in search. Opera continues to stay ahead of the curve with a new integrated mail client, one-click bookmarking and tab stacks. The latter is a tab grouping mechanism that allows you to stack related tabs vertically rather than horizontally.
As mentioned above, Opera delivers versatile multimodal interaction. For instance, it is possible to control virtually every aspect of the browser with a keyboard. You can use voice commands to navigate the web and even have the browser read text to you. Opera also supports mouse gestures, which are similar to keyboard shortcuts but with the mouse. These features alone make Opera a more accessible browser for a wider range of users than many of its competitors.
Opera is extremely robust in terms of features and is noticeably lacking only one feature that we looked for in internet browsers: parental controls. They aren’t a necessity but the inclusion of the controls would make the browser more apt for family households.
Opera has security features in place that will check websites you are trying to visit for malware and phishing schemes. The browser also uses advanced encryption when you are visiting a secure website and provides the option of erasing all private data, such as browsing history and cookies. The latter is convenient if you are browsing on a shared computer.
The internet browser allows you to customize your security settings. For example, you can turn off the option to have the browser check each site you visit for security threats, even though doing so can leave your system vulnerable.
As most internet browsers do, Opera claims to be the fastest browser available, and on most accounts it delivers highly competitive speeds. Opera takes only a few seconds to start up and load pages and it is remarkably fast at running applications.
Where Opera seems to struggle the most is in terms of compatibility. The internet browser is not nearly as well-known as many of its top competitors, and we sometimes came across websites the browser could not display.
The latest version of Opera delivers a refined user interface, one that boasts a clean, featherweight design that emphasizes the content and not the browser. It may take you a bit to learn how to take advantage of the browser’s full capabilities, but overall Opera is intuitive and easy to use once you become familiar with how it works.
You can purchase a premium support package that comes with email support. However, there is enough online information that chances are you won’t need the supplementary support. Online you’ll find tutorials, FAQs and a knowledgebase. Opera’s web forums also prove to be a valuable resource; in addition to submitting bugs and known issues, you can also ask questions and interact with other users.
Summary:
Opera’s compatibility issues are likely to be the deciding factor for many prospective users, but more and more websites become compatible with the browser each day. And while Opera may not have the firm backing of a major corporation like our other top-ranked internet browsers, it manages to stay on par with the competition with its robust feature set, advanced security protocols and rapid speeds.