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One thing that I fail to understand, particularly with the latest
version is why anyone would want to pay extra cash for a web browser
when there are so many excellent free browsers available?
Of course, you can use the "free mode" but then you are stuck with
the top area of the browser permanently displaying ads and taking up
valuable screen-space. Not that the paid option takes up less -- you
just don't have the annoying ads.
One thing paying for, or simply using Opera, is good for, is general
security. It's less prone than some other browsers to the endless exploits
which continually surface and need repairing. It's also much faster
than other browsers, regardless of your download speed.
The Opera browser may be faster than Internet Explorer and faster
than Firefox but for ordinary web surfing it leaves a lot of room for
improvement, particularly if you are an inexperienced user.
Unless you are an experienced user who is familiar with all the different
options such as "Identify browser as ..", you will find that Opera appears
'buggy'. It isn't. It just has some compatibility issues with some Microsoft
sites, such as MSN.
This is why there is the workaround option to "Identify browser as
..". By identifying itself to the server as a different browser, Opera
can overcome the compatibility issues.
However, it takes an experienced user or someone who is willing to
work through the help file to be able to operate this browser.
Having said all that, Opera is a smooth browser when
it is working correctly and it can provide a good experience for ordinary
browsing. Certainly, it has some useful, additional features I like
such as the ability to go straight to the index (home) page from anywhere
on a site just by clicking on a drop-down menu. You can also alter its
appearance easily, block animations, images, flash and the like.
All in all, I would say the Opera browser is probably for more experienced
users.
Opera does have its fans
and they prefer it over all other browsers. I just don't happen to be
one of them.
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