Synchronization of Extensions

[kgiii]

kgiii last edited by

Preamble: I looked and I am unable to find a suggestion for this already.

Suggestion: Enable Synchronization of the extensions and, maybe - if feasible, any extension settings and maybe the ability to refine which settings get synchronized.

Justification: Chrome, which Opera forked, has the ability to synchronize extensions. While I dislike Chrome, I do use it to do some dev work from time to time and, obviously, check sites in it. I do this across multiple operating systems with a variety of configurations to ensure the best end-user experience.

It is my opinion that the ability to synchronize settings, bookmarks, and extensions across platforms would be an excellent benefit for Opera's end-users. Being able to install, configure, and choose the extensions on a desktop and then being able to move those same configurations to a mobile platform or to an alternative operating system would be a more consistent user experience and would likely help increase adoption rates.

If it is possible then, another bonus and another way to distinguish Opera from the competition, it would be nice if those then synchronized extensions would have the same configuration on the new install. Having GreaseMonkey scripts brought forward, AdBlock settings moved forward, uMatrix settings, etc. would be a very nice bonus feature. I can certainly imagine that it would absolutely increase the attraction of an otherwise stellar project. It would not be possible with every extension but I think it would be a nice feature for those extensions which stored settings locally. Perhaps a standard API would be needed for that, however. I am unsure if such exists though I suspect the framework would not be too difficult if time allows.

Addendum: I do not typically use themes but that, too, may be an added bonus. My LinuxMint box has a theme installed and that did not synchronize with any of the other systems in virtual machines or on different boxes. It would make a nice feature that other people may use though I doubt I would personally benefit.

Granularity may be an added bonus. I know that I would use it. If, for example, the above is made true then being able select which extensions to synchronize and which extensions to synchronize their settings would be a great bonus as it allows one to have a similar user experience while maintaining the control of tailoring each to the needs of that device, environment, or operating system.

Finally, the RPM packages are very well done. I realize that Opera has very little (read 'none') control over what goes into the repositories of the various Linux and Unix distributions. With some advocacy, I am guessing, and perhaps some dev help, as needed and would (unfortunately) be a line item on an expense report, and some advocacy then maybe, just maybe, Opera could end up with the dev, beta, and stable versions (and their sources) in the various repositories. The ability to just click and install would be a great bonus.

I am frequently recommending Opera to people who have become disenfranchised with Firefox and Chrome (and their respective forks) and it would be awesome to just say, "Dude, it is in your repo - click and install and you will never go back."

Also, the help file will need to be updated now that Windows 10 is out. In order to change the default browser, from what I have read online and from an MS MVP private mailing list, the users will need to follow a new path to set Opera as the default browser. The action inside Opera should evoke the screen however but they will still need to confirm the changes in the 'default programs' menu. I understand that it is trivial and self-explanatory but it is probably worth noting. Another note might be to indicate that the upgrade process will change the default browser to either Edge or the new Internet Explorer - I am not sure which because I have not yet investigated it.

Closure: I apologize for the novella but I wanted to ensure I included all the thoughts as well as include all the information. In my defense, the sticky indicated that I should provide a use-case for my ideas instead of just suggesting that they be acted on. Thank you, again - in advance, for taking the time to read this, provide any feedback, and/or taking action on these suggestions.

[leocg]

leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by

Sync of extensions would be interesting and kinda useful. It's kinda hard that you have to reinstall all of them when doing a new install or creating a new profile.

[rolox2]

rolox2 last edited by

Yes! Between desktop, laptop, virtual machines, it would be nice. Especially with rebuilds (like, many going on with Win10 and all).