Why is Opera not widely used by people?
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davidadley last edited by
It seems that Opera, despite being a highly capable browser with impressive features, is not receiving much attention or discussion in comparison to other browsers.
One notable advantage is that it blocks ads by default, providing a seamless browsing experience. Additionally, it offers a built-in free VPN, although it may not be as powerful as other options.
Another appealing aspect is that Opera allows users to install all Chrome extensions, providing a wide range of customization possibilities. Its visual appeal is also a highlight, as it offers a sleek and modern look compared to Chrome.
Furthermore, Opera allows convenient WhatsApp messaging within the browser through a pop-up feature.
Despite these features, Opera does not seem to be gaining significant popularity or recognition in the browser market.
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canadagoose4everreturns last edited by@davidadley You've outlined its many positive features and then asked the question as to why it has not received much attention. Why do you think? Laziness (just take the browser that comes with the device) and an attitude of not caring (since Google is by far the most popular Search engine and when going there it entices the user to switch to Chrome, many follow through. Some are afraid of the Chinese connection and so they avoid Opera. Many (my wife is an example) simply don't care about ads (for some reason they either don't see the ads or they don't care that they're there.... I've never been able to figure this out and when I ask my wife about it, she thinks I'm nuts for caring about the ads). I'll use myself as an example. When I bought my first computer, I went over to Bell Canada and signed up for internet access. They gave me a cd to connect and it came with Netscape 3.0 which I adopted as my browser since I didn't know any better. And as Netscape evolved, I just accepted the latest version each time. Bottom line: I didn't care, even when I heard about other browsers. My story is getting too long so I'll end it there.
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kane12 last edited by
Hello,
In my opinion, both the browsers have their own benefits but personally I would prefer to use Chrome over Opera due to its simple and easy to use interface.
Chrome provides enhanced integration with Google's range of applications and services, including Google Drive and Gmail, making it well-suited for users who heavily depend on these platforms.Thanks
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canadagoose4everreturns last edited by
@kane12 Exactly. Simplicity and the fact that it just works with most extensions and most websites. There is a reason why Chrome has the lion's share of users and you've essentially outlined it. The fact that it is not exactly privacy focused is apparently unimportant (and/or unknown) to most users. I've said this many times now: people, in general, don't really care about the myriad of customizable options offered by Vivaldi nor for the gaudy GUI of Opera One. They don't care about the browser. They don't spend hours playing with the browser to add extensions and change skins and so forth. The browser is simply a tool to get them to where they want to go: social media, shopping, banking, news and so forth. And it is undoubtedly the reason that these browsers will attract a very dedicated following, albeit a small, one-digit user following and remain this way... permanently. People want simple - not complicated. People want uncluttered - not pretty. This is why Google Chrome remains far and away the most popular browser... it's simple, it works... period.
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A Former User last edited by
@canadagoose4everreturns I agree with you on almost every single point. Google delivers what the masses need and want: simplicity and usability. Nobody I know really cares that much about privacy.
As I've used Vivaldi for quite a long time, I appreciate much they've done, but at the end of the day, it's much too much of nerdishness.Opera caters more to the gaming community with its GX version. And I see Opera One as part of a GX-fication. They joined the Crypto-bandwagon, now they trail with their own KI. It's as they really try hard to differentiate themselves from the competition., even with some force. And it seems they've already given up on the crypto thing, as the crypto browser isn't promoted any longer.
After alternatively playing around with Edge for a short time, I begin to appreciate the simplicity of Firefox again. Edge was full of bloat and waste, I couldn't bear it that much. And TBH, I've always even liked Google better than Microsoft. I avoid them whenever I can.
I still like Opera One, although I'm almost certainly giving Firefox a try again. If it were only for the simplicity of their UI and their concentration upon browsing itself.
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canadagoose4everreturns last edited by
@lord-of-the-lost said in Why is Opera not widely used by people?:
@canadagoose4everreturns
After alternatively playing around with Edge for a short time, I begin to appreciate the simplicity of Firefox again. Edge was full of bloat and waste, I couldn't bear it that much. And TBH, I've always even liked Google better than Microsoft. I avoid them whenever I can.Edge has become a bloated mess. It's revealing to see MS being forced to push its Bing search engine and browser via their reward program. In other words, "we'll bribe you with points that you can cash in with Amazon, if you use Bing and Edge." Seriously? I'm not that hard up for cash to bolster your numbers, MS. If they had left legacy Edge alone and simply modified it to stay current, it might have been more attractive but they shoved all of their shopping connections and AI into the mix so that what is left is a bloated mess. At this point I'll stick with FF simply because it dares to be different. Hey, nice chatting with you. Have a good one.
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A Former User last edited by
@canadagoose4everreturns Thanks a lot. It's always nice to talk with you.
Writing with Opera One.
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A Former User last edited by
I still wonder if it also has something to do with what I would call the Chinese connections of Opera Ltd.
Although I haven't seen any real proof for China spying on Opera users, it still gives me kinda uneasiness. And on YouTube and in what might be called the technical blogossphere it's taken for granted.
Is there any reliable and independent support for Opera being safe from these allegations or is it only a matter of trust, then? -
canadagoose4everreturns last edited by
@lord-of-the-lost No doubt there are many who don't trust the browser because of its Chinese connection. And even though it is subject to Norwegian privacy laws this still doesn't appear to convince them that their data will be safe from a prying Communist government. So in a manner of speaking, yes... you are right in saying that it becomes a matter of trust. We know that the browser is secure since it receives regular security updates. But as for privacy and the question of what information is collected and what is done with that information, I can't give an answer. Let's put it like this: personally, I felt safer using the browser when it was owned and developed in Norway. While I believe that our data is being harvested by Google and MS (which is another reason I refuse to use their browsers or search engines), the political realities still enter my mind and so I feel a bit safer with them although that may be a mistake on my part. I'm typing on a MacBook Air right now and I know that it was assembled in China. Is there spyware on this device? I doubt it but I suppose anything is possible. Just trying to be as honest and forthright as I can be and admittedly, I have not really used Opera on a daily basis since the acquisition a few years back.
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A Former User last edited by
@canadagoose4everreturns Speaking for myself, I generally trust them, though I'd also prefer if there weren't any Chinese investments.
But they are addressing this issue openly.
https://blogs.opera.com/security/2023/07/debunking-spyware-misinformation/
I've also seen them commenting on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/OperaGX/comments/188dn34/comment/kbo2i7h/It must be frustrating always to answer the same old allegations.
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canadagoose4everreturns last edited by
@lord-of-the-lost Great links (although I see that the one link was from a thread I posted in a while back... haha). The fact that it is publicly listed and traded and that it follows European regulation suggests that it is perfectly safe to use. But as Leo has said a number of times: it's really up to each of us as to what we choose to believe. So in the end, it is exactly what you stated several posts back - a matter of trust.
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A Former User last edited by
@canadagoose4everreturns The Reddit comment is seven days old, the official blog post by Opera from July, thus not too old, I think.
