Get rid of default search engines

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

I'm not shutting down any complaints, I'm merely presenting facts and helping users here...
For instance, I agree that the default search engine choice must be extended to custom search engines, I have even filled bug reports and sent them suggestions to solve that. (At the same time I understand the technical and management limits the devs are under and I trust their words to be honest. I can't force you to believe that, but again no one can give me evidence of the opposite of what the devs said publicly. Themselves have said the option will come back...)

I'm not paid by Opera Software. You can see by visiting my profile that I'm a moderator, but it's a position I volunteered to do (it means for free) to help in fighting real spam threats, keeping the forum organized and asserting the forum rules.
I want to add, friendly, that this is not a valid point to consider in a discussion, my job status have nothing to do with this subject. Whether I'm paid or not doesn't change the validity of any of the arguments I post, it doesn't make my assertions any more or less true.

[shmucker]

shmucker last edited by

For instance, I agree that the default search engine choice must be extended to custom search engines, I have even filled bug reports and sent them suggestions to solve that. (At the same time I understand the technical and management limits the devs are under and I trust their words to be honest. I can't force you to believe that, but again no one can give me evidence of the opposite of what the devs said publicly. Themselves have said the option will come back...)

I think that starting our dialogue with this phrase would have been a great way to improve our communication. And, I state that I do not want to offend you, and I state again that I do really appreciate your help. And here comes my second part of the answer for you.

I'm not paid by Opera Software. You can see by visiting my profile that I'm a moderator, but it's a position I volunteered to do (it means for free) to help in fighting real spam threats, keeping the forum organized and asserting the forum rules.
I want to add, friendly, that this is not a valid point to consider in a discussion, my job status have nothing to do with this subject. Whether I'm paid or not doesn't change the validity of any of the arguments I post, it doesn't make my assertions any more or less true.

So, nice to meet you mister moderator and I do really appreciate your personal honesty in doing your job. You may understand, though, that in many forums when users are complaining a less honest way to approach the problem is exactly the way I've tried to describe, pushing less honest moderators to simply water down any good discussions. I'm glad that this is not the case, but was my intent to be sure about that.

Lastly, and perusing your honesty and your understanding, I wish only to state again that several development choices are not very popular to the user base, and even if there are many complains, seems that none of them are really taken seriously by the management.
I really do like Opera and I like also the possibility to choose between browser to tailor 'my' browsing experience to the extent that I will be glad to pay for this browser if the need arise. Mind you that I'm using Opera, Opera Next and Opera Developer at the same time just to be more and more acquainted with the future of this browser, and looking at my past experience on Windows and Mac, you can for sure deduce that I'm not an occasional user. And many out there share my same experience.

So, if the money is really the main concern, and to promote a more free user choice, why not to push in this direction?

Historically, Opera has been the browser of choice for geeks or better informed peoples that were searching for freedom of choice and informed privacy. So let the masses have their Internet Explorer alike browser, or Safari for instance, and keep up with what in the past has been recognised as the Opera browser strongest advantage: unicity. Ok, I'm not a fan of chrome engine, even if I use chrome and chromium as well for dedicated tasks, but I know that a lot may be done to push that platform ahead.

I'm not going off topic if a propose this, as the fact that the 'default search engines' seems locked, and the need for additional programming effort to solve the issue (anti-hijack engine), may well be solved with money that comes from aficionados like me. What do you think? 20 euro? Hell, even 40 euro seems to me a good price to pay to have our old browser up and running shining and improved as it should be. Less arguable marketing/financing choices and a really 'free' browsing experience.

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

Money isn't the issue. The issue is the lack of an anti-hijacking tech. For example, the file that stores the default search engine choice would have to be encrypted by Opera with a password or something to only give you access to edit the setting but not malware, or another solution...

No one pays for a browser...
Opera used to be paid in the past. What happened was that Firefox rose at IE6 expenses while Opera lost the ride. Opera has been barely used historically, even after it became free.

I don't know why they don't accept donations though, perhaps the ASA status in Norway doesn't allow it or something...

[tisme]

tisme last edited by

"The option was removed after we got targeted by malicious third-party "applications". It will return when we can protect against alterations by other apps and not the users themselves." - Daniel Aleksandersen, Opera employee.

So far, almost a year since that comment was posted, this option hasn't been returned. I think it would be safe to say it's not gonna happen anytime. Heck, we're even not allowed to change letter keywords if they're occupied by the stock SE.

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

Another month...without option to change default search engines. When is this gonna be considered by the overseers ?

[vinodvlsi]

vinodvlsi last edited by

Alright, now Opera doesn't allow me to choose any "other" search engines to be my default.
Is there a way I can turn of onmibox search completely? No search engines at all.
Basically what I am interested is to get my local intranet DNS to resolve the keywords i type in omnibox, I'm not SEARCHING for anything.

Any help is truly appreciated.

[redraider89]

redraider89 last edited by

*Alright, now Opera doesn't allow me to choose any "other" search engines to be my default. Is there a way I can turn of onmibox search completely? No search engines at all. Basically what I am interested is to get my local intranet DNS to resolve the keywords i type in omnibox, I'm not SEARCHING for anything.

Any help is truly appreciated.*

"Is there a way I can turn of onmibox search completely?"

Nope, you are screwed. I wish also that I could enter a web address using a current Opera browser in Linux without having to be careful that that isn't searched for by google or their other pet search sites, that when I enter an address, IT GOES THERE and is not searched for. As shmucker implied, SO MUCH for the FREE (as in liberty) browsing experience from Opera.

[marcplum]

marcplum last edited by

I won't use Opera because it won't allow my CHOICE of search provider.
I'm going straight back to Firefox. Vote with your feet. Goodbye!

[marcplum]

marcplum last edited by

Get another browser -they are easy enough to download. :lol:

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by

Alright, now Opera doesn't allow me to choose any "other" search engines to be my default.
Is there a way I can turn of onmibox search completely? No search engines at all.
Basically what I am interested is to get my local intranet DNS to resolve the keywords i type in omnibox, I'm not SEARCHING for anything.
Any help is truly appreciated.

Look for a way to reroute the default search engine domain's IP using the hosts file or something in your modem/router.