REVIEW: Opera 11's new extensions, tab stacking and visual navigation aids put the Web browser on a competitive footing with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome, providing users with productivity and convenience.
Version 11 of Opera Software's Web browser, which began shipping Dec. 16, packs a handful of session-management, navigation and secure browsing features. It also has a new framework for extending the products functionality through small programs called extensions that are built using the Opera Extensions API and that resemble FIrCfOX1S browser extensions.
All told, the enhancements in Opera 11 keep the venerable Web browser on par with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome. However, they did not, based on my tests, set any new bar for stability or performance.
Still, Opera 11 - which can be downloaded at no cost from opera, com and is available in versions for Windows, OS X and Linux - remains a solid cross-platform-friendly Web browser option that merits evaluation for its user-focused enhancements. In particular, research-oriented users will likely benefit from the tab-oriented features that let Opera keep a wide array of pages open on the desktop.
Extending Opera 11
Opera is now girded with a standards-based framework for adding extensions to the Web browser. Extensions are browser add-ons that use Opera's API to enable browser customization. Previously, this type of functionality was provided by the use of Opera Widgets, which are stand-alone Web applications and can still be used with Opera 11.
Opera offers extensions that build new tabs, windows, buttons, badges and pop-ups. These extensions are available now and can be used as building blocks for customizing the browsing experience. By using standards-based HTML5 and JavaScript development, Opera has made it easier for developers to tweak extensions they've already written for other browsers and use them in Opera.
Out of the gate, Opera touts a password-management, ad-blocker and translation extension, among many others that are currently available. I used the password-management extension, and it worked fine. Extensions are increasingly important as an area of competitive distinction between Web browsers. IT managers who are considering Opera 11 should ensure that any needed extensions are part of the evaluation process.
I followed a simple tutorial to create a "Hello World" toolbar button that I was able to add to my Opera 11 browser.
Tab management, navigation
Tab stacking is a browser pack raf s delight. I'm accustomed to using tab groups in Microsofts IE for easy access to Websites that I visit on a routine basis. Tab stacking in Opera 11 takes this a step further and lets me stack tabs on top of each other.
For example, I have several eWEEK Web properties open in a tab group, along with several competitor sites. Using tab stacks, I was easily able to keep separate stacks of Web pages that I could expand or restack by simply clicking on an action badge.
Visual mouse navigation is a real pleasure and timesaver for users who take a few moments to learn the interface. Holding down the right mouse button for a few moments activates visual mouse navigation.
A navigation overlay appeared on my screen, and by slightly moving the mouse toward a command, I was able to open a new tab, move backward and forward through my Web page history, minimize a tab or quickly access my speed-dial screen of commonly accessed Websites. Visual mouse navigation is context-sensitive and offered a number of timesaving convenience gestures that I used to speed through my Web browsing research.
Opera 11, much like Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 beta, uses the windows sides and lower edge to display information. Users accustomed to seeing all browsing and Internet options at the top of the screen will need a period of adjustment to look at the sides and bottom of the window for needed information. In Opera 11, the revised bookmarks organizer pops out from the left side. Bookmarks are easy to add and arrange using right-click-driven menu choices.
Opera uses this new sidebar on the left side of the window to display icons for history, downloads and notes. The sidebar contents and position are customizable.
I would like to see the Opera menu in the upper left corner of the screen moved down so that less window real estate is wasted. As it is, the wide band across the top of the window mimics Microsoft's ribbon interface without adding any of the functionality.
Opera 11 uses a combination of reputation and fraud-reporting services, along with connection information, to provide users with more information about the Websites they're visiting. I used the badge that appeared to the left of the URLto getinformationabouteWEEK. com, nytjmes.com and chase.com.
The two media sites scored well on reputation, but didn't use an encrypted connection. Thus, an Opera 11 tool tip suggested not exchanging sensitive information with either site. On the other hand, chase.com was both encrypted and reputable, so it got a green light from Opera 11.
Opera uses both Netcraft and PhishTank to track fraudulent behavior and malware distribution of Websites. Users are able to click a button to report problematic sites.
Of note for consumer users, Opera 11 has improved the built-in e-mail client. I linked my Gmail account to the Opera e-mail client and was able to drag and drop messages into folders. And the e-mail client can now be hidden when not in use.
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Extensions add functional elements to browsers, and Opera hopes to catch up with the browser pack with this feature addition.
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Using the right mouse button, I activated the visual navigation page to quickly perform common tasks such as opening a new tab.
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Site security information is based on external reputation information providers.
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This story can be found online at: tinyurl.com/2ddqu74
[Author Affiliation]
Technical Director Cameron Sturdevant can be reached at csturdevant@ eweek.com.
