Opera 6

Minh Nguyễn

The Norwegian software company Opera Software recently released version 6.0, beta 1 of its browser suite. I took a few minutes to download the browser over my broadband connection, and I evaluated what I saw.

I've known Opera since version 2.5 in 1998, and I've embraced their product for its speed, stability, ease of use, flexibility, and support for standards. So you'd think I'd be once again overly pleased by Opera's newest browser, which is their best attempt yet to push their product to users of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator. Unfortunately, the new features and looks drove me away.

Skins: A mistake?

It appears that Opera continued its support for skins, introduced since version 5.0. This feature is similar to that in Netscape 6, but its integration proved buggy and ugly, due to not being smooth. As you can see in the screenshot provided below, several items appear out of place, and one using the browser may notice some objects not behaving as expected.

Fortunately, the browser can be reverted back to its classic look, but only after searching through an improved but still confusing preferences dialog box for the option.

MDI vs. SDI

Version 6.0 introduces a radical new change: Users now have the option to switch Opera to a single document interface model, similar to that of other browsers. It includes tabs for a more multiple-document interface, similar to that in Mozilla, the basis for Netscape 6. I found this approach acceptable, but not nearly as flexible as the multiple document interface I've known Opera for. As a sidenote, Opera once prided itself on having a multiple document interface, as one can see on an old advertisement banner for Opera.

Unicode

Also new in Opera 6 is its support for Unicode, which allows the display of characters and languages from around the world on the computer. Although it is a bold move and a long-awaited one, the feature is far too buggy and unimplemented. One would hope that this feature will be complete or nearly complete in the final version.

Overall

Overall, I think Opera made a valiant and possibly successful attempt in pulling users away from Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator, but is beginning to drive away its base and veteran users, including me. I am beginning to consider Netscape 6.2 my main browser of choice, which differs from my opinion of this a few months ago. I give Opera the following rating, which can be described as mediocre at best:

Please note that the rating system is still under development, and this is just temporary.

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