I'm a neby! However I am using icons on my speed dial! Perhaps I missed something in reading the above.
If I remember correctly the icons were automatic!

Now, you have to copy the address of the web page, and paste the entire adddress in the "add a site" "add to opera"
page. Boom, an icon comes up!

Not sure this is what you were discussing, but it sure cleaned up my speed dial!

Cheers!

CaptMc