I want to add my own default sarch engines

lem729

lem729

You can change the default search engine, but you are limited to five alternatives (for a default engine) because searches in other engines have been hijacked tby adware and malware to unsafe sites. Enough said. Thank you Opera for protecting people. There are now many options for searching in other engines, outside of the five default engines. They are reasonable ways to go. If the adware-malware threat becomes resolved, then fine. Let's have more default search engines. But if the threat is still there, I hope Opera continues to act in a manner that keeps the user safe..

stealth789

stealth789

You can change the default search engine, but you are limited to five because searches in other engines have been hijacjed tby adware and malware to unsafe sites. Enough said. Thank you Opera for protectung people.

Sure but that's the problem, we're limited. And I didn't ever had problem with hijacking my search engines whatsoever in Presto Opera, or other browser(Chromium, Firefox, IE). There's also other way how to protect it, instead of forcing us to use something strictly specified. No problem in other browsers.

And really don't get how this can be hijacked if we're possible to change it? Basically it's not possible to change it even in file "C:\Users\WindowsLoginName\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable\Web Data", where are stored custom search engines. And I don't think that hijacking was about accessing this file. So it's decision not to enable it, not to protect us, I think. Because then why it's problem with default engines, but not with custom ones?

In some version it was even possible to change this using file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\22.0.1471.50\resources\default_partner_content.json" ". At least it's possible to remove default search engines there. All except Google. But I was not able to add there custom ones.

lem729

lem729

On this issue of malware and adware hijacking users searches, I'd rather have Opera's protection. I'd prefer they not leave it to users to decide. They have a responsibility to offer a safe browser. There are many reasonable ways to search with your own favorite search engine, even if it's not one of the Opera 5. If Opera can insure the security of additional default search engines, then I'm fully in favor of adding more.

Otherwise, just use the search engine you want, even if it!s not a default. It's so simple, you'd have to be almost dumb not to be able to type a letter before your search query. Opera's decision here to limit the default search engines to 5 in the face of enormous security threats (and with reasonbale alternative ways for people to conduct searches with their own favorite search engines) is a no-brainer. Thank you Opera!!!!

stealth789

stealth789

On this issue of malware and adware hijacking users searches, I'd rather have Opera's protection. I'd prefer they not leave it to users to decide. They have a responsibility to offer a safe browser. There are many reasonable ways to search with your own favorite search engine, even if it's not one of the Opera 5. If Opera can insure the security of additional default search engines, then I'm fully in favor of adding more.
Otherwise, just use the search engine you want, even if it!s not a default. It's so simple, you'd have to be almost dumb not to be able to type a letter before your search query. Opera's decision here to limit the default search engines to 5 in the face of enormous security threats (and with reasonbale alternative ways for people to conduct searches with their own favorite search engines) is a no-brainer. Thank you Opera!!!!

I'm not sure if I get it. So you mean, that there's problem with search results? Then you can disable also custom search engines. Or search at all. So I can use old way of opening site? I don't think this is security related argument. There are better and safer search engines.

I don't think this is safer. Also I don't think that Opera can guarantee security of other company. Let's quick see for this 5:

Google Search - HTTPS - OK
Yahoo! - no HTTPS (but supported by site)
Bing - no HTTPS (but supported by site)
Amazon - no HTTPS, but probably not supported by site
Wikipedia - HTTPS - OK

Sorry, but I don't think this is safer, than one I can add.

And if it's so, add there StartPage or Ixquick, maybe DuckDuckGo(even if I don't use this one, as its under US laws). They're much safer. Even TorBrowser use StartPage as its default engine.

And when we use search hundreds time a day, we don't need to type keyword. Basically you are saying, it's better that thousands of people press keywords like monkeys. Better like to add simple option, to avoid all that? I don't think so.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Option to change default search engine is a must. There's no one relevant reason to force me to use specific search engine(s). Any browser can change this. Oh sorry, any except Opera.

Using keywords = custom search engines is great. But default is here to be used without keywords. And I want to use another search engine as default specified. Now I have to use keyword, and if I forget, I have to use some harsh words :X.

Search is essential for browsing. It should be basic setting. Using extension to change this is nonsense and rocket science. And sure even in Firefox if you want really custom search engines, you have to use extensions. Also crazy. But this setting is available in Chromium, Opera can simply inherit it. They removed it willingly and replaced. I understand it. Sometimes it's better to use some "fork" of development of feature. But please make it user friendly.

From good old times I still remember Opera as innovator. Bringing something new, and better. I could use any search engines in Presto Opera. So why new Opera is willingly removing good features, and forcing us to something? It should be better, not otherwise.
DON'T FORCE US TO USE SOMETHING YOU THINK IS RIGHT FOR US!!! IT'S NOT, AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME!!! SO I WANT BE FREE TO CHOOSE IT!!!

Good post. Unfortunately some still won't get it. Extensions like the ones Opera has can't provide functionality that the browser did. If you want proper extensions you have to open up the browser API completely but Opera doesn't want that as it would introduce vulnerabilities so Opera has to provide the functionality. I have never had a problem with a site, even ones flagged as unsafe by Google, changing my browser settings. If security was the issue here there are other better ways to handle it like making it unchangeable by default except by the user. But that would mean adding some functionality instead of removing it. Surprise, surprise.

This agreement with everything Opera developers do is not good for the future of the browser. @lem729, your handwaving here simply doesn't cut it. You are happy with the state of things so you're saying to hell with everybody else that isn't. Problem is that your speeddial you love so must doesn't go with your vision of a bare bones browser. Question, what if Opera removed it and you had to use an extension? Before answering keep in mind that an extension would most probably not provide the functionality you're used to.

You and leocg can keep taking cheap shots at me, abusing the word troll and referring to my supposed forum age, then close topics highlighting real issues. I have been a long time Opera user commenting on the forums and blogs which for some reason Opera decided to delete my profile and created it again when I logged in. We are the ones addressing real issues here which you simply wave off.

lem729

lem729

You and leocg can keep taking cheap shots at me, abusing the word troll and referring to my supposed forum age, then close topics highlighting real issues. I have been a long time Opera user commenting on the forums and blogs which for some reason Opera decided to delete my profile and created it again when I logged in. We are the ones addressing real issues here which you simply wave off.>

Why do you say it is a "good post" when someone has posted there must be an option to change the search engine to a new default engine other than the five provided in Opera, when other search engines were deemed by Opera unsafe because of adware and malware hijacking searches? Not everyone using Opera may be as sophisticated as you are and no how to solve that issue. I think the additional burden (to minimize the search risk) for the user to type maybe one code letter before putting their search query (when they want to use a search engine they added to Opera, which is not one of the five default engines) in the address bar is so small that Opera should not add more default engines until they are satisfied that the risk of hijacked searches has significantly diminished.

I am delighted with the current browser (though look forward to improvements too). I just want to appreciate what is here now -- to say thank you for that. If we can't enjoy the browser as it currently is, we just suffer waiting for for changes that may never come . . . When someone is so angry at Opera (and from the posts of yours I've seen, that's what I sense) one has to wonder why they don't just move to another browser, and leave it at that. I have no idea who your other avatar was. Your avatar now has only been here three days. I've never called you troll (at least not that I recall) (It's not something I would normally do). I'm not saying to hell with you. Constructive criticism of Opera is fine, but if the tone becames an angry rant, it's not. Hopefully, there's a middle ground for discussion in the forum.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Why is someone saying there must be an option to change the search engine to a default other than the five provided in Opera a "good post," when other search engines were deemed unsafe because of adware and malware hijacking searches? Not everyone using Opera may be as sophisticated as you are and no how to solve that issue.
Most power users want that functionality. Opera is a browser traditionally aimed at power users. Again none of us being inconvenienced now have ever had the problem of malware. To combat the possibility is easy by providing the option by default to not allow sites changing it. You do not have to be a sophisticated user to then untick a box to allow it. This is not a decision based on security.

I am delighted with the current browser (though look forward to improvements too). I just want to appreciate what is here now too. If we can't enjoy the browser as it currently is, we just suffer waiting for for changes that may never come . . . I have no idea who your other avatar was. Your avatar now has only been here three days. I've never called you troll. I'm not saying to hell with you. Constructive criticism of Opera is fine, but when the tone is that of an angry rant, it's not. Then it poisons the forum.
We are not delighted with it because it's mainly unusable for us. If changes won't come then we should be told so we can move on from the dream that once was reality. So far we have gotten an ambiguous response saying functionality will be added but all features may not be added back. That is neither here nor there.

I'll state this again. I'm not a new user, I didn't create a new avatar (username). I simply asked for my existing username/password with my registered email but opera seems to have deleted my profile together with myopera/blogs. I'm not sure who called me troll, could have been leushino too. Point is our criticisms are meant as constructive. We wouldn't be making them if we didn't love Opera. It's your choice if you see them as such and come up with a solution to a real problem or just wave them off as ranting. Most of the angry rants have been directed towards the handwaving and uncivilised remarks that we shouldn't be criticising.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Why do you say it is a "good post" when someone has posted there must be an option to change the search engine to a new default engine other than the five provided in Opera, when other search engines were deemed by Opera unsafe because of adware and malware hijacking searches? Not everyone using Opera may be as sophisticated as you are and no how to solve that issue. I think the additional burden (to minimize the search risk) for the user to type maybe one code letter before putting their search query (when they want to use a search engine they added to Opera, which is not one of the five default engines) in the address bar is so small that Opera should not add more default engines until they are satisfied that the risk of hijacked searches has significantly diminished.
It's not up to Opera to play nanny to users that don't know how to handle their browser. As we said there are better ways of dealing with it from a security pov like not allowing sites to change it without user permission.

lem729

lem729

I don't think the one letter before a search is a big deal. And you can add DuckDuckGo directly from the address bar without the one letter, by using Disconnect Search extension, but so . . . we have different views. If we all thought the same the world would be boring.

Now you did ask me, Prometheus-za: "Problem is that your speeddial you love so must doesn't go with your vision of a bare bones browser. Question, what if Opera removed it and you had to use an extension? Before answering keep in mind that an extension would most probably not provide the functionality you're used to."

Opera has always had a speed dial. They invented it. It is a feature that attracts me as a user. If they dropped it, and there wasn't an adequate extension (but I'm willing to use extensions), I might well go elsewhere for a browser. Internet Explorer doesn't have a speed dial. And that's a killer lack for me. Chrome has a nice extension Speed Dial, Foxtab Speed Dial, 9.2.1. I liked that one, though it doesn't have folders, so Opera's is better. Also, Chrome was very resource hungry on my computer, and was giving me crashes -- I believe. Firefox, has Super Start Speed Dial, and it's quite nice. I prefer Opera's. If Opera ditched the Speed Dial entirely, it would be a problem for me. Still, I wouldn't be posting angry posts all the time. I'd move on, perhaps to another browser (probably Firefox or Chrome), unless they had a Speed Dial extension in Opera that suited my needs.

I realized that features from Opera Presto are gone. And I still miss a few that I liked there. But it a different browser concept now. And recreating Presto would, I think, be inconsistent with the concept. I think something akin to a building is in construction. Imagine how workman on still on scaffolding all over the place. We'll end up with a better creation than we have now, maybe even a super one. It just won't be Presto. Everything Opera has done so far leads to that conclusion. So those who loved Presto have to adjust to that.

I look at Coast for Ipad. I believe they're using the same engine everyone else uses in an Ipad. They have to, or Apple wouldn't permit the browser app. AND YET, Ipad is totally different, kind of wonderful. It's not faster than other browsers on the Ipad. It doesn't have more features, but it has less. It even lacks features that I would prefer to have, and could have in other browsers. Notwithstanding that, it's just -- how can I say it -- a delight. It makes every link that you saved feel like an App. And the appearance is terrific. Why is the bottom line in a browser the number of hoops it can jump through, the end result of which is feature glut (some of which was happening with Presto, perhaps There's an issue of art also, and how the browser is set up creates a pleasure in using it. And by the way, what Opera has done in Coast, just shows that even if you're using the same engine as someone else, you can end up totally unique and creative. Now I do enjoy the desktop Opera that is, but surely I hope for more. I've posted in the suggestions box quite a few suggestions. Still, I prefer what is, with Opera, right now, more than what is, with other browsers. And having been with the Opera browser for almost 10 years, I trust the company to build something very good.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Sorry I meant shortcuts. Where is the edit?

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Opera has always had a speed dial. They invented it. It is a feature that attracts me as a user. If they dropped it, and there wasn't an adequate extension (but I'm willing to use extensions), I might well go elsewhere for a browser.

And there you sum up the sentiment we have towards bookmarks, search engines, scortcuts etc.

lem729

lem729

Exactly. But if i lost the feature or features I want and value highly, I wouldn't rant and rave, as some Presto people have. I'd look at the current browsers, and possibly move on to another if it was better for me. And I'd accept change.

Aside: On bookmarks, I have no problem with some improvements. I support a bookmarks manager importer from third party browsers. I would like Opera Blink to support exporting the bookmarks as html. It would be nice to have Opera, when it takes a bookmark let you put it in a folder, subfolder, etc, or create your own folder for it, all as part of the action of taking the bookmark. I have already posted that already as my suggestion. And I would find more keyboard shortcuts helpful. Absolutely. But I'm not hooting and howling at Opera as part of an enraged mob. ;))) Let's give them a little space and time.

And I do right now enjoy the browser. I find it highly promising. On search engine -- which is this suggestion-item-thread -- I 'd rather Opera stay with offering search engines that are safe, and the ability to use others with a one or two letter code. ;). I defer to them on the safety issue here. Ending up in a dangerous website (with downloaded viruses and malware) can be a disaster. They don't have to give users a choice, the exercise of which, they feel is highly dangerous, when there's such a reasonable saving option -- a one (or maybe two) letter code in front of the search query (something that even a moron can do) that would solve the problem, until the threat of the hijacking issue can be remedied. As soon as it is, may there be more default search engines!

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

Exactly. But if i lost the feature or features I want and value highly, I wouldn't rant and rave, as some Presto people have. I'd look at the current browsers, and possibly move on to another if it was better for me. And I'd accept change.
Aside: On bookmarks, I have no problem with some improvements. I support a bookmarks manager importer from third party browsers. I would like Opera Blink to support exporting the bookmarks as html. It would be nice to have Opera, when it takes a bookmark let you put it in a folder, subfolder, etc, or create your own folder for it, all as part of the action of taking the bookmark. I have already posted that already as my suggestion. And I would find more keyboard shortcuts helpful. Absolutely. But I'm not hooting and howling at Opera as part of an enraged mob. ;))) Let's give them a little space and time.
And that is the point. You would be no different than us and may even state your intent like any fan of Opera would. The only difference is that we would not call your complaints rants. Opera has been given space and time but their responses to the issues is neither here nor there.

And I do right now enjoy the browser. I find it highly promising. On search engine -- which is this suggestion-item-thread -- I 'd rather Opera stay with offering search engines that are safe, and the ability to use others with a one or two letter code. ;). I defer to them on the safety issue here. Ending up in a dangerous website (with downloaded viruses and malware) can be a disaster. They don't have to give users a choice, the exercise of which, they feel is highly dangerous, when there's such a reasonable saving option -- a one (or maybe two) letter code in front of the search query (something that even a moron can do) that would solve the problem, until the threat of the hijacking issue can be remedied. As soon as it is, may there be more default search engines!
That is your own preference. It is not ours. As we have said the issue is not security. There are much better ways to deal with hijacking than removing functionality.

lem729

lem729

You speak for yourself, prometheus-za. What is this "us." You haven't been elected to represent others. Not every Presto person favors Opera providing default search engines that are not safe. You do. Some others may well not. This is no monolithic group. Even for other features. Could you come up with a list of features that everyone agrees on that they want -- even amongst Presto users? I doubt that. There are a range of different interests -- among people who love Presto, and those who favor the Blink engine, on this and even on other issues.

And I have never said that everyone who wants features a la Presto is ranting. Most people in the forum, who favor Presto-like features, and those who don't do not rant, or flame-bait, insult others, or even the Opera company. It's generally a great group of forum-goers, who treat each other with decency and respect. So we differ on some opinions. How boring the world would be if we all agreed. And without essential civility, the forum moves in the direction of worthless. However, it's time on some issues to smell the coffee brewing (hmmmm, I'm worthless in the morning before I've had my few cups;))) -- to face the fact of Opera's change to a Blink engine, that is designed to make use of extensions for full and complete functioning. Some may want Opera to go back to Presto, but I think it's delusive, in my humble opinion, to be so out of touch with the reality of the situation.

And when posts become totally repetitive -- the same issue or issues raised over and over again -- it can have the untoward effect of choking/stifling the forum. Going back a decade or more -- my presence here is almost ten years -- the forum has been a huge strength of Opera, where people helped each other, in making the browser work for them -- at least as much so as was possible. That was the essential function that was carried out,. It was the best browser forum on the internet. If it's lost in fighting and dissension, it is a major loss.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

You speak for yourself, prometheus-za. What is this "us." You haven't been elected to represent others. Not every Presto person favors Opera providing default search engines that are not safe. You do. Some others may well not. This is no monolithic group. Even for other features. Could you come up with a list of features that everyone agrees on that they want -- even amongst Presto users? I doubt that. There are a range of different interests -- among people who love Presto, and those who favor the Blink engine, on this and even on other issues.
I speak for the vast number of users who have added their own voice on the forums. They speak for themselves as well. Neither have you been elected to represent others in deciding what the browser should be. The issue has never been Presto vs Blink. Opera has had many engines before and the users and those who leave it has never been decided on an engine but on features. You don't seem to realise that the two are separate issues.

And I have never said that everyone who wants features a la Presto is ranting. Most people in the forum, who favor Presto-like features, and those who don't do not rant, or flame-bait, insult others, or even the Opera company. It's generally a great group of forum-goers, who treat each other with decency and respect. So we differ on some opinions. How boring the world would be if we all agreed. And without essential civility, the forum moves in the direction of worthless. However, it's time on some issues to smell the coffee brewing (hmmmm, I'm worthless in the morning before I've had my few cups;))) -- to face the fact of Opera's change to a Blink engine, that is designed to make use of extensions for full and complete functioning. Some may want Opera to go back to Presto, but I think it's delusive, in my humble opinion, to be so out of touch with the reality of the situation.
Smell the coffee on what? Opera has moved on to Blink, so what? They have however been mainly silent on their intent on the other issues. There's also no such thing as extensions that provide "full and complete functioning." The two concepts together is an oxymoron, at least in the way Opera implements it.

And when posts become totally repetitive -- the same issue or issues raised over and over again -- it can have the untoward effect of choking/stifling the forum. Going back a decade or more -- my presence here is almost ten years -- the forum has been a huge strength of Opera, where people helped each other, in making the browser work for them -- at least as much so as was possible. That was the essential function that was carried out,. It was the best browser forum on the internet. If it's lost in fighting and dissension, it is a major loss.
So you admit that there are many people posting the same issues. If that's the case it surely mustn't be hard to see that there's a real problem. Yes as a long time Opera user I know the forum has been a great place of people helping one another. That is no longer the case because the core functionality for that is gone. It's stay with the old browser or lose the functionality. The loss as with any software will be decided by what the developer does and not the community.

lem729

lem729

prometheus--za

In my view, you speak solely for yourself. All of this "we" and you speak for the "vast majority of users." Now please. Who took a public opinion survey, and who elected you as the Voice? Now I don't purport to speak for others. Only for myself. If you agree with me, well fine. And if you don't, that's fine too. I believe in the importance of the individual. There can be a thousand voices saying X, and one individual saying Y, and that individual voice is still important. Sometimes, the individual voice is the only one right against the great hullabaloo of the majority. And of course, I can be wrong too. Though I don't think liking Opera 22 is a question of right or wrong. It is a matter of taste.

Now I didn't say extensions provide full and complete functioning. They complement the native browser. If people are posting the same subject often, no way does that mean there's a real problem. Why, what's the real problem? That the New Opera is significantly faster, can access sites better, has access to a huge range of extensions that the Old Opera never had before. Or is the significantly better Speed Dial (with folders) a problem? No way! Let me shout it from the rooftops. It's the best Speed Dial on the planet. Look I understand where you're coming from too. And that you can argue the other side -- that there is another side. We're just people with two different perspectives. There's no right or wrong to that. Now in part, people are posting the same subjects in the forum over and over, because this forum search engine is awful.

As for subject issue, I for one -- and I speak for no one but myself -- would like Opera to not permit additional default search engines for the Opera address bar, if they see it as a significant danger to the user, particularly because the work-around of one measly letter or maybe two in front of a search is minimal. But I do respect that you have a different view. If Opera did permit additional default search engines (even though they thought there was a significant user risk with them), they'd have a large responsibility to educate the users on why in most cases it would be safer not to use them. I fear many casual users would not pay attention though, and might be innocently hurt "big-time" through malware or viruses. Not everyone is as sophisticated as you may be on making the choice.

prometheus-za

prometheus-za

prometheus--za
In my view, you speak solely for yourself. All of this "we" and you speak for the "vast majority of users." Now please. Who took a public opinion survey, and who elected you as the Voice? Now I don't purport to speak for others. Only for myself. If you agree with me, well fine. And if you don't, that's fine too. I believe in the importance of the individual. There can be a thousand voices saying X, and one individual saying Y, and that individual voice is still important. Sometimes, the individual voice is the only one right against the great hullabaloo of the majority. And of course, I can be wrong too. Though I don't think liking Opera 22 is a question of right or wrong. It is a matter of taste.
Yes, in your view. You haven't been paying attention to the topics on the forum or you just wish to ignore it. I will say it again, I speak for the majority of users who HAVE ALSO SPOKEN FOR THEMSELVES. It's the last bit you seem to be ignoring. I am expressing the very same sentiment that others have.

We don't need a public opinion survey when the opinions are already all over this forum and you just have to look at them. Public opinion is also reflected in the browser stats which you still seem to ignore. In case you have forgotten, Opera has lost almost a third of its market share since Opera Next. Of the remaining share almost half are Opera Mini users and the remaining desktop users is split almost 50/50 between Opera 12 and Opera Next. That alone should be enough to tell you what public opinion is.

Now I didn't say extensions provide full and complete functioning. They complement the native browser. If people are posting the same subject often, no way does that mean there's a real problem. Why, what's the real problem? That the New Opera is significantly faster, can access sites better, has access to a huge range of extensions that the Old Opera never had before. Or is the significantly better Speed Dial (with folders) a problem? No way! Let me shout it from the rooftops. It's the best Speed Dial on the planet. Look I understand where you're coming from too. And that you can argue the other side -- that there is another side. We're just people with two different perspectives. There's no right or wrong to that. Now in part, people are posting the same subjects in the forum over and over, because this forum search engine is awful.
And people get the same responses over and over, that there's no solution other than sticking with Opera 12. That together with the other issues that you ignore indicates there's a real problem. You can continue shouting the speed dial (ironically a feature) from the rooftops. You don't seem to understand that for those of us that don't use it it's irrelevant how good it is. You seem to be under the wrong impression here that it's somehow the featurelessness of Next that makes it faster. It's not, so using it as a basis against features is a non-sequitur. Rightly there are different opinions. It's also clear that accommodating a minority view inconveniences a vast number of people while the opposite is not even remotely the case.

As for subject issue, I for one -- and I speak for no one but myself -- would like Opera to not permit additional default search engines for the Opera address bar, if they see it as a significant danger to the user, particularly because the work-around of one measly letter or maybe two in front of a search is minimal. But I do respect that you have a different view. If Opera did permit additional default search engines (even though they thought there was a significant user risk with them), they'd have a large responsibility to educate the users on why in most cases it would be safer not to use them. I fear many casual users would not pay attention though, and might be innocently hurt "big-time" through malware or viruses. Not everyone is as sophisticated as you may be on making the choice.
It's not my opinion but logic. For hopefully a final time here, SOPHISTICATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. It's not Opera's prerogative to play nanny if security is the issue but as has been pointed out there are much better ways to deal with browser jacking if it is. It's not an inconvenience to anybody to add a checkbox to allow changing the default search engine.

Deleted User

Deleted User

This is getting off the topic.

leocg

leocg Moderator Volunteer

This topic is going nowhere.