Which was the best version of Opera?
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werewolf last edited by
I never heard of Maxthon browser so I went on CNet to look at the reviews - and funny, people are complaining that the older versions of that one were better too.
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theuhm last edited by
That may be so about older Maxthon's but I will say that I used to try Maxthon in the past and it was dire and just a clone of Internet Explorer. Just give it a try in portable form and see what you think.
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Deleted User last edited by
Ha! Maxthon is gag city. I can't see how anyone can seriously consider that clunker.
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werewolf last edited by
Well, right now I'm using Firefox as my main browser and Chrome as secondary. One or the other does some things better than the other. I'd still like one best all purpose browser that does it all, and I had hoped that Opera would be it, but unfortunately Opera is going in the opposite direction, at least from what I can see, at least for me. Ive reinstalled the 12.16 version but am not even using it, but it's there in case I want it. Any other ideas?
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blackbird71 last edited byOriginally posted by werewolf:
... but unfortunately Opera is going in the opposite direction, at least from what I can see, at least for me. Ive reinstalled the 12.16 version but am not even using it, but it's there in case I want it. Any other ideas?
Welcome to the "Browser Dilemma of the 21st Millenium". There was a thread here at one point discussing alternate browsers, but it has been made to evaporate (perhaps understandably, since these are the Opera forums). One thing you really need to do is make yourself a simple list of things you absolutely MUST have in a browser, things you merely like in a browser, and finally things you cannot tolerate in a browser. Then go out and look at candidates, comparing their "feel" against your list. There is no "best" recommendation that anyone can make for you, because nobody but you can properly apply your weighting to the myriad of features or performance traits that exist in all browsers.
My own searching has revealed a LOT of alternate browsers out there... in fact, quite a few more than I thought ever existed when I undertook the quest. In the end, I've narrowed my alternate candidates down to Firefox, Seamonkey, Pale Moon, Dooble, and Qupzilla (not a serious contender, but fun)... based on what I find needful to be in a browser. At this point in time, it looks like Firefox (plus a few extensions) is the best of the litter for my needs - though it's certainly not perfect. It's been my primary browser for several weeks now as I evaluate it. Every candidate has tradeoffs that commend or fault it, just as evolving Blink Opera does, and it's a slam-dunk guarantee that you'll never find an exact equivalent of another browser, especially Old Opera (which I deem to have been the high point of browser functionality/configurability).
One thing to consider doing is to also install the latest Opera final-release version and keep it auto-updated as a secondary browser, just to see where Opera goes with their design evolution. Things have progressed slowly thus far, but more changes are in store, and one never knows what will appear over the next 10-15 versions. My own best guess, based on rate of change thus far, is that Opera might possibly become a serious contender again by around June of 2014. I had hoped they'd be there by the end of 2013, but that's the way it goes sometimes...
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frenzie last edited by
Originally posted by blackbird71:
There was a thread here at one point discussing alternate browsers, but it has been made to evaporate (perhaps understandably, since these are the Opera forums).
Do you mean this one?
Originally posted by blackbird71:
At this point in time, it looks like Firefox (plus a few extensions) is the best of the litter for my needs - though it's certainly not perfect.
+1
But I'm still hoping, in all likelihood in vain, that Opera might be approaching similar usability by the time it finally hits Linux. I refer primarily, but not exclusively, to proper bookmarks.
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blackbird71 last edited by
Originally posted by Frenzie:
Originally posted by blackbird71:
There was a thread here at one point discussing alternate browsers, but it has been made to evaporate (perhaps understandably, since these are the Opera forums).
Do you mean this one?...
Eactly! For some reason, when I searched for "alternatives" and "browsers" as the search term over both the last 2 months and before, it didn't pop up here - so I assumed it had gone extinct. I did get a bunch of other threads, but not the one I was looking for (but which you did get). Oh well...
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theuhm last edited by
No one can seriously consider using Firefox as a default browser, it is only favorable in the website compatibility stakes. Firefox is very slow and clunky in comparison to blink browsers. The best version of Firefox is in fact Palemoon x64 and even this can feel clunky at times. I use multiple tabs and therefore I know when a browser is smooth and has performance. Right now only Opera gives me the performance and reliability to have 80-160 extensive tabs open at one time. Palemoon could handle many tabs without crashing etc but it starts to get clunky. Maxthon stands no chance when it comes to opening many tabs or even just a few its memory management is too fragmented and poor.
To the guy who attacked Maxthon I suggest he tries the latest versions with an open-mind because it is actually a nice browser these days compared to the older version. If Maxthon could perform as well as Opera and had a few better extensions for privacy then I would move over but it cannot right now. Anyone who dismisses Maxthon is foolish in my opinion I just wish it was a good all rounder. Maxthon was the only browser I came across that achieved 7/7 on an HTML test on Peacekeeper and only recently I achieved this with Chrome on Linux. Maxthon loads up a lot quicker than Opera and initially feels more free but if you start opening a few tabs well then that reverses.
Like Maxthon there is Avant Browser which is another multiple engine browser which has an extensive amount of options to suit most people. I did not punish the browser so I do not know how well it performs under load. What I did not like was the look and the skins provided were very poor. I tried to install a skin and they would not work for me. I would need performance with multiple tabs and a much better look. Its speed dial looked promising but I did not test this out. Maxthon's speed dial is terrible in many ways whilst Opera is the king of slick speed dials. I must admit I end up using the Speed Dial on Opera more than bookmarks now and find it quicker and easier for me. I like these mouse gestures with the visuals on Maxthon and Avant which originated with the Dolphin browser on Android.
Opera needs a better bookmark system build in, a nice cleaner like what recent came out on extension, a good snapshot like Maxthon. Maxthon's split screen is very good as well as the pop-up video options and build in reader. Maxthon's downloader has been improved for 5x speed downloads like external download managers. There are some great little usages with Maxthon, if Opera can rip them off and improve them we will have a powerful all round browser. All the other browsers like seamonkey, qupzilla and dooble are no where near competition for Opera and Maxthon. I am using Maxthon to write this right now whilst my Opera sits waiting with 101 tabs.
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werewolf last edited by
"Opera needs a better bookmark system build in"
Yes! That was what immediately turned me off, the lack of the bookmark side panel so that I could immediately click on any one of my bookmarks, such as Opera always used to have and Firefox still has, and IE still has it too, tho a bit messed up.
"Right now only Opera gives me the performance and reliability to have 80-160 extensive tabs open at one time."
Yipes! I get nervous when I see like ten tabs open!
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theuhm last edited by
Yes the highest I have had open at one time was one-hundred and sixty five tabs and Opera handled this with pure ease and smoothness. No other browser works so well with so many tabs open, tabs which are extensive websites. Opera is too interested in sucking up to Apple slaves with their iPads instead of making a good all rounder Windows browser. Its time Opera had its own unique look instead of this Chrome look. Where is the individuality going today? All cars look the same as do televisions and everything else. Not surprising considering they are all controlled by the same super entity controlling everything on the planet. Opera is teaming up with Facebook so God help us all as The Worshipful Company of Technologists take over the world. Look at how the Warburg family of opium dealers took over US internet hosting with their front Endurance International, imagine how quickly they can suppress internet information when they want to soon. Opera was a very unique browser and now it is nothing different except a bit more performance. Right now I'd say Avant Browser is the most adaptable browser. My PC is a HP Intel Core I5 2.6Ghz with 6gig of RAM and HD4000. We could do with Maxthons CPU monitor and download/upload speed options as well as the IP addresses!
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werewolf last edited by
When I "check for updates" on Opera 12.16 it says"you are using the latest version of Opera." I guess they mean the latest version of REAL OPERA.
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stng last edited by
Originally posted by kimmoj:
12.16 was the last real Opera version and it's working quite well for now.
12.14 is better though (less buggy).
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Deleted User last edited by
Originally posted by blackbird71:
One thing to consider doing is to also install the latest Opera final-release version and keep it auto-updated as a secondary browser, just to see where Opera goes with their design evolution. Things have progressed slowly thus far, but more changes are in store, and one never knows what will appear over the next 10-15 versions. My own best guess, based on rate of change thus far, is that Opera might possibly become a serious contender again by around June of 2014. I had hoped they'd be there by the end of 2013, but that's the way it goes sometimes...
Im curious why you would say that?. I know forums are only a small % of any userbase (for anything really) but judging from the outrage since the change over, i would have thought many would stick with older versions (ive used Opera since the early days and mega disappointed of the changeover to new engine), or looked elsewhere....
Btw, are there actually any other browsers to try which aren't basically a reskinned IE,Mozilla or Chrome?
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blackbird71 last edited by
Originally posted by smurfinaus:
Originally posted by blackbird71:
One thing to consider doing is to also install the latest Opera final-release version and keep it auto-updated as a secondary browser, just to see where Opera goes with their design evolution. Things have progressed slowly thus far, but more changes are in store, and one never knows what will appear over the next 10-15 versions. My own best guess, based on rate of change thus far, is that Opera might possibly become a serious contender again by around June of 2014. I had hoped they'd be there by the end of 2013, but that's the way it goes sometimes...
Im curious why you would say that?. I know forums are only a small % of any userbase (for anything really) but judging from the outrage since the change over, i would have thought many would stick with older versions (ive used Opera since the early days and mega disappointed of the changeover to new engine), or looked elsewhere....
Btw, are there actually any other browsers to try which aren't basically a reskinned IE,Mozilla or Chrome?
If you follow the train of posts leading up to mine, werewolf already established that he'd reinstalled 12.16 on his system. Then he noted he was using Firefox and Chrome as primary and secondary browsers. Then he asked for other ideas. My response simply indicated some alternate browsers I've come across to eventually, possibly replace 12.16 (since that version will become increasingly obsolete and site-incompatible). Along with those possible alternate browsers, I mentioned (in the part you quoted) the New Opera and suggested installing it as well, and keeping auto-update alive in it so as to stay abreast of improvements Opera is making as they go along. While various users may not like New Opera at this point, time and continuing development may change that, and it might be useful for the OP to have the latest Opera version on his system as it evolves just to see if at some point it suffices for what he needs.
Otherwise, I believe there is at least one non-IE/Mozilla/Chrome "full-function" browser out there: Dooble. One of the main problems I have with Dooble is its forced use of peculiar search engines. I assume your 're-skinned' rhetoric is a way of asking if there are other browsers not using the rendering engines for IE/Mozilla/Chrome. Just keep in mind, though, that there's a LOT more to a browser than the mere rendering engine underneath it.
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geomyster last edited by
Waking up an old thread... I've been running Opera 12.14 rather than the new Chrome versions, I'm just curious: How's the latest Chrome version? (Opera 23) Does it still suck compared to the 12.x era? Or has Opera finally gotten it back to being an awesome browser?
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microbi last edited by
Opera 12.16 for sure! NO auto update (I don't want to update IF I thin it's working well - there are always betas..), Easy to config how you want (Preferences, Appearances) , BLANK start page, fast start up. Just few that came my mind. Thx all those - I use 2 Opera versions - 12.16 if I get fed up with current 23.x.... Hard to use any other browser but if Opera goes this path....might have to change.
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werewolf last edited by
I've been using Firefox but it has been crashing my computer lately so I'm in the market for a new browser again. Is anyone still using Opera 12.16, and where would I go to download it? Which of the other browsers mentioned above have good bookmark sidebars, like Firefox has, and Opera used to have?
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A Former User last edited by
The latest Presto version is now 12.17, and it's available here -
http://www.opera.com/download/guide/?ver=12.17
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