Does this mean I need to disable "Speed Dial" altogether?
You can just hide the search box. There is a setting for it in Start Page settings (you need to enable advanced settings to see that one).
I have the Startup page set to Bing, but on Startup, it loads that as first, then defaults to Google Speed Dial.
When you set a start-up page, Opera opens that page when started, together with Start Page/Speed Dial.
Is Speed Dial part of a Google service?
Nope.
Sorry - no time to learn new "Markdown" (HTML) Hope the reply to you formats properly.
You could have used the quote button if this is what you talking about.
Is there a Go-fund for Opera to buy in to updated Forum software?
Nope. And their forum software is updated, it just works in a different way. 🙂