ALT1040 Labs: Opera 11

Since some time we have a browser war and there is always a browser that is left out, Opera. This browser, the first version came first in December 1996 has recently reached version number 11 and has always featured an innovative software that has a lot, taking ideas for the first time this type of applications which were subsequently adopted by the rest.

However, Opera has not had too share never use and yet largely many people can have a good browser as most eventually end up using other browsers, like Internet Explorer , Firefox or Google Chrome . We could talk at length about the reasons why users mostly prefer other browsers before Opera. But instead, then I will do a review of all that we can find in Opera 11.

As I said on occasion browsers are applications that I like to try a lot, so I usually have many applications installed in my operating systems, but even this is so many of them do not use them too as your default browser is Firefox, my preferred - and Opera is one of them, we will discover that brings this fine browser in its eleventh version.

Stacking tab, the best manager tabs

In this novel I've written above and is one of the ones I like Opera, Tab Stacking. Opera's proposal to organize the tabs as well as being really simple to use is very powerful. We can very easily manage all of our groups tab without switching screens.

This is very interesting because in Firefox you need to go to a different screen and lost us some time, and while not too long ago we do not have at a glance all groups and all the tabs you have within each . By contrast with Stacking Tab to display all the tabs of each group leaving to focus mostly on the tab will have more direct access to switch tab.

How could it be otherwise, we also possible to set the tabs, used very similarly to other browsers. We just have to click the right mouse button on the tab and choose Tab Pint.

New version of Speed ​​Dial

The first thing to say that this new version of Opera, which was launched two weeks ago, does not make too many changes to the browser or at least not as many as there were in previous versions. This focuses more on improving what is and incorporate other improvements, which although not so important if they are very interesting. If we look for significant visual changes were not found, the interface has changed in a very small and always to improve some elements.

One element that has been updated is Speed ​​Dial, the home screen that first implemented this browser and serves to provide direct access to our favorite sites from the homepage of the browser. With this new version the thumbnails of web pages display live content, rather than a static picture of the last visit we make to the website.

One of the novelties of this version is that there is a maximum number of pages that can be configured in Speed ​​Dial, as we go adding or removing the thumbnail size will change, but the more elements have small additions. This will make this screen does not seem too empty, although it is true that adding many thumbnails can be really chaotic. We also have the ability to set the wallpaper Speed ​​Dial, giving a more personal touch.

Although this utility is very good I still think he could improve a little more. For example, I miss the ability to create groups where we can organize our favorite sites and through buttons at the bottom of the form (which is configured with Bing default) each group can change the animation noted that there are very collected.

Performance Enhancements

Inside the browser has also been improved, redenrizado engine, Presto reaches a new version that allows for better navigation through web sites, web pages fairly simple improvements we will not notice much, but if we access pages with great content Javascript is notice enough change for the better. As expected also added further support for HTML5 and CSS3 standards

The management of plugins is also better, because instead of loading all the startup will be loaded on-demand, ie, as needed basis to different web sites. This will help the system resources consumed is somewhat lower.

A comprehensive browser from scratch

One of the things that has always been present in Opera is the large number of options available to you from the start. Philosophies are different from those we see in other browsers, which extend its functions through extensions to be installed users. This is not to say one is better than another, it merely provides the user with two different home bases, which can completely change your experience.

Personally I prefer a simpler browser at the beginning and that I may be giving way through extensions, but the logical evolution of the browser, which has been seeing in recent years, is precisely what they have in Opera has always been: to offer a browser as complete as possible. Maybe Google Chrome or Firefox or reach their level and do not offer a mail client integrated, but certainly in regard to services based on navigation and other accessories that enhance the user experience, both will be adding more profits default, without having to resort to third-party extensions.

But this does not mean you can not configure Opera, something that we can do, and also has an extension gallery where we can install all you want to further enhance the use of your browser.

Faster browsing with Opera Turbo

This utility, Opera Turbo, will help us to navigate more quickly if they so wish, as it is a feature that can activate or deactivate at any time by one of the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

When Turbo is enabled Opera activate an extra connection with Opera servers, we shall content dedicated to improving navigation on the web page requested. Opera's servers contain a cache to store the larger files, where most noticeable load times, such as javascript files and images.

In the case of these latter from Opera will send us the images in the format presented by Google WebPAD a while ago and it's lighter. In this way you can gain a few seconds on the navigation on certain pages. This is an ideal tool for use with pages heavily loaded multimedia content when using a slower connection than usual, however in a high speed connection you will not notice much difference.

Conclusions

In addition to the above improvements have been added there are some others I will explain briefly. The navigation bar has been improved, giving the user more information on secure web pages and their certificates.

In the search field, also has support for predictions of Google and of course, we have one of the classic Opera, mouse gestures that allow us to do many everyday browsing activities without using the keyboard. Although I personally am not very fond of this utility because I just prefer the opposite: the less you have to use the mouse better, since my work within the browser will be faster, something that is very important when you need to work on a keyboard a laptop. Though I suppose the latter is a matter of taste.

In short, Opera 11 browser is a very complete and certainly can be a wonderful alternative for those who do not prefer any of the browsers tend to be used. We offers quick navigation with a different experience because of its particular, who have no use except with other browsers and you may receive an innovation earlier than others, but Opera needs to improve in various aspects, such software does not deserve be so little known.

ALT1040 Labs: Opera 11 written ALT1040 April 27, 2011 by David Blonde
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