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What is Opera

Operates

Descripción:

Opera is a free web browser owned by the Norwegian company Opera Software. Available for more than 60 languages, in 2010 it surpassed 100 million users and although it is behind browsers such as Microsoft Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, it is still a widely used software worldwide. Among the most outstanding features of Opera are its great speed, standards support, customization by site, thumbnail tab view, anti-fraud protection, Speed Dial start, navigation through mouse movements, voice navigation, ad blocking, closed tab bin, navigation through sessions and many more features.

Origin and evolution of Opera

Opera is a web browser that has gone through several transformations since its creation in the mid-1990s. Developed by the Norwegian company Opera Software, this browser has been a pioneer in introducing innovations that have influenced the web browsing experience.
History and development:

  • 1994: Opera was founded by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Geir Ivarsøy in Norway. The company’s first product was a web browser that was initially launched as an internal project to test navigation technologies.
  • 1996: Opera 2.0 was released, marking the first public version of the browser. This version was noted for its speed and its ability to run on limited hardware, which made it attractive to users with slow Internet connections.
  • 2000: With the release of Opera 5.0, the browser began to gain popularity. This version introduced advanced features such as tabbed browsing, a concept that would later be widely adopted by other browsers.
  • 2005: Opera 8.0 was released with support for data compression technology called Opera Turbo, which allowed users to browse faster on slow connections by reducing the size of web pages. This feature was especially useful on mobile devices and in regions with limited Internet infrastructure.
  • 2006: Opera became the first browser to offer support for widgets, small applications that could run on the user’s desktop. This marked an important step towards browser customization.
  • 2013: Opera 15 was a turning point in the evolution of the browser, as it was based on the Blink rendering engine, the same one used by Google Chrome and other modern browsers. This change allowed Opera to improve its performance and compatibility with web standards.
  • 2016: With the release of Opera 42, it introduced a number of speed and efficiency improvements, as well as a built-in ad blocker and a free VPN, features that increased its appeal to privacy-conscious users.
  • 2020 onwards: Opera has continued to innovate, releasing versions that integrate productivity tools such as a workspace for messaging apps, a game browser and easy access to streaming services. It has also improved its focus on privacy, implementing features such as tracking protection and password management.

Current usage:
Throughout its evolution, Opera has remained committed to innovation and improving the user experience. Although its market share is smaller compared to browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Opera remains a popular choice thanks to its unique features and its focus on privacy and customization.

Advantages of Opera

Nowadays it is increasingly difficult to innovate in the world of web browsers, being very similar among them, however there are still enough differences to choose between one or the other. Among the main advantages of the Opera browser are:

  • Native Proxy: Opera includes a built-in proxy that allows users to browse more privately and securely, which can be an advantage for those looking to protect their information online.
  • Incorporation of messaging applications: Opera allows the integration of messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in the sidebar, which facilitates communication without having to switch tabs.
  • Left bookmarks sidebar: The sidebar provides quick access to bookmarks and other tools, improving navigation and organization.
  • Opera Turbo: This tool allows users to increase browsing speed on slow connections by compressing data, which is especially useful on mobile or low-speed networks.
  • Interface customization: Opera offers customization options that allow users to adjust the appearance of the browser according to their preferences, enhancing the user experience.
  • Totally free: Opera is a free browser, which makes it accessible to all users without additional costs.
  • Unlimited VPN: Opera includes a free unlimited VPN, allowing users to browse more privately and access geographically restricted content.
  • Useful as a learning and training tool: Opera can be used in educational and training environments, especially with its ability to integrate tools and applications that facilitate learning.
  • It does not alter the original code of the page: Opera respects the original code of web pages, which means that users can view sites as they were designed, without unwanted modifications.
  • Ad blocker: Opera includes a built-in ad blocker, which improves the browsing experience by eliminating intrusive ads and reducing page load time.
  • Support for web3: Opera has started to integrate features that allow interaction with decentralized applications and blockchain technology, making it an interesting option for users interested in the future of the web.
  • Integrated BitTorrent download: Opera allows users to download files via BitTorrent without the need to install an additional client, which simplifies the process of downloading large files.

Disadvantages of Opera

As for the disadvantages,we can highlight:

  • Limited web standards support: Although Opera has significantly improved its support for web standards over the years, some earlier versions had limited support for CSS2 and other standards. However, more recent versions based on Chromium have improved this aspect.
  • Setting as default browser: When installing Opera, the browser can be automatically set as the default browser, which may be inconvenient for some users who prefer to choose their browser manually.
  • Performance when using extensions: Like other browsers, Opera can experience a slowdown if too many extensions or add-ons are installed. This is not unique to Opera, but it is an aspect to consider.
  • Update frequency: Although Opera has improved its update frequency in recent years, some users may feel that it does not update as often as other more popular browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

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