New opera user here. I'm really disappointed to find right away that I'm locked out from setting my own default search engine.
I understand the argument that there's some large fraction of the userbase that needs to be protected from themselves, and from internet malefactors. However, I reject the premise that this means removing basic functionality for "power users" is the only option. It's easy enough to include a hidden option that's editable only by a human being.
And the suggestion that google & yahoo are somehow "safer" than startpage and duckduckgo doesn't even merit a response. Particularly if, as one poster above suggested, the searches aren't even implemented securely.
For now, I'm using the disconnect search extension to force my default search to duckduckgo (though I'd prefer startpage). But I hope the developers choose to re-institute this choice for those who are responsible enough to make it.
That said, so far I'm loving Opera. And the checkbox that disables the tiny space above the tab line? Brilliant!