Do you use the Start bar in the desktop browser?
Published March 6th, 2007 4:39 PM EST By Daniel GoldmanWith the latest Weekly build of the Opera desktop browser the Start bar, which pops-up below the address bar when entering an address, was removed.
The Start bar (see image below) shows your bookmarks and lists your top 10 most visited sites. It’s an excellent place to add buttons. I prefer to add my buttons on the Personal bar, where I have buttons (links) for my most visited sites.
I never knew how popular this feature is with Opera users (it seems to be popular with the vocal ones, at least). There has been somewhat of an outcry to get the Start bar back in the browser.
Personally, I think Opera should just hide the Start bar on the default installation, just like it does with the Personal bar. It helps get rid of some of the clutter. However, users should still have the option of enabling it, should they choose to do so.
What do you think about it? Do you use the Startbar? Should it be disabled by default?
(The Start bar in Opera)
using
I never used it.
Personal bar: +1
using
I use(but now no, build8679), but just the bootmark link(home and top10 i not use)
But now i make bootmarks customm buttons…(
http://bartosslajos.atw.hu/comment.php?comment.news.14
using
Yes, I do use it, and for me it’s definately not some kind of “clutter”
using
I used it till the last weekly. I think it’s more useful than Speed Dial (but I also like this cool feature). I use only two bars (tabs and adress bar with some useful buttons) so I don’t want to use Personal bar.
Is there any way how to enable Starter bar again? I think I need it
using
I use Start Bar daily. I have my Bookmarks (folder) and 2-3 most important bookmarks (very handy!) there.
I am using OS X - and thus, opening Side Bar isn’t easy (with mouse). However, Start Bar offers me the essential functionality of Side Bar - my Bookmarks.
using
Oh, I forgot to mention… I never use Homepage and Top 10. In fact, the first thing I do with a fresh Opera install is to remove Homepage link and search fields from Start Bar (but not Top 10 ;))
My Start Bar looks like this:
Top 10 + Bookmarks + (dynamic spacer) + 2-3 most important bookmarks
using
Opera is about choices…
There is a *market* for autohide toolbars… Make it independent from address field, and market will double…
Disabled by default.
Yes, have used Start bar. Would use a autohide toolbar. I’m a UI minimalist maximizing web content on screen. Only got room for Tab bar with 5 vital buttons, in front. (Got a customized context menu, and Address field in note panel for all typing, search, draft mail and notes). Works efficient for me…
using
Not using it, but I agree with you Daniel, it should still be there for users who want it.
using
I used Start bar previously for buttons that opened first version of developer tools.
Personally I think that Start bar itself very unobtrusive example of UI.
So, definitely bring it back.
BTW, I’m not shure should or shouldn’t Start bar be hidden by default… and what it should contains.
using
I use only page bar.
using
don’t remove the start bar! =O
i use it every day as i don’t use the personal bar because it clutters the space that could be used for browsing :p
i think the start bar is really useful because it isn’t visible all the time
nothing against disabling it by default, but don’t remove features for gods sake =/
using
Ugh. First thing that gets turned off when I do a fresh install. In my eyes its a usability nightmare. I’d actually go as far as to say its the worst feature of the browser by some measure.
using
I use it for my search fields. I don’t like to use the dropdown list from the default config, two clicks are too many for me.
using
Automatic hide bar, i.e. Start bar, is good place to put Dev. Tools, Trash bin, and suitable for less used buttons.
Just like the front panel of VCR, TV, DVD player, as others claim. It made Opera look cool, indeed.
using
Although I consider myself somewhat of a power user (I customize my Opera menu’s, etc.) I have never used the Start bar. I wouldn’t miss it.
using
First thing I do with a fresh install is turn off the Start bar. I don’t use a home page, I have nicknames for my top 10 sites and searches and the bookmarks are in the normal menu. Plus I think the Start bar is ugly.
using
This one is easy. Remove the startbar, or at least disable it by default. One should have in mind the 99,9% that never use it, imo.
using
Don’t use it, have it turned off. I don’t have a problem with it being there for people who DO like it, though.
using
Don’t remove it plz. They removed lots of (context) menu accesibility after 7.54 (esp. sidepanel context), don’t make that mistake again by removing features.
using
I only use Ctrl+L to get to the addressbar and then write the nick name of the bookmark I want to go to. OW+Enter for OperaWatch and so on. I have 15-20 bookmarks with nicknames in Opera. The rest of my bookmarks is handled by del.icio.us in one open tab. I would not cry if the startbar disappeared, but it never bothered me. So why not leave it in, but unable it by default.
using
I use the Start Bar often for bookmarks and Top 10 access, it comes very handy and you avoid going to the top of the screen. But if Opera chooses to disable it by default, that should be fine as long as the whole functionality is not removed.
using
I never use it, but don’t think it should be removed, maybe just disabled by default.
I use the Personal Bar for quick access to sites.
using
I use it. Mostly for occasional access to the search box which I don’t want to see all the time. (I use the address field if I’m typing a search using shortcuts, but the search box in the start bar for “paste and go” searches with the mouse.)
using
Nope, I don’t use it.
There’s obviously some very vocal followers of the start bar, so removing it might not be very wise, but it should at least be disabled by default.
using
I use if for a bunch of stuff that I don’t need constantly but always want to have on hand. I’ve got links to the DOM console and CSS Editor, as well as a few other web development buttons. That’s also where I keep all of my shortcut bookmarklets for adding pages to services like delicious, Google Reader, etc. If I lost the start bar I’d just work up a custom drop down menu to hold all of those links without taking up too much space on my toolbar, but that would be more of a pain to add links to.
using
Yes, I do use it. I have my favourite bookmarks there. I don’t use the Personal Bar (I like to keep things looking lean and mean). I agree - hide it, if necessary, so that if a user wants it, he or she can activate it! But DO keep this feature!
using
All I need is bookmark/search nicknames. Speed dial and start bars/panels is just annoying.
using
I don’t use it. And I’ve never seen the sense of a Top10 - how shall I know if the site I want to visit is in my top 10 list? Since the list is dynamic, it’s not reliable. So I have to click on Top10, see that the site isn’t listed there, and then go the ordinary way…
But people are different, so keeping it while disabled by default would at least not offend its lovers.
using
Please keep it! Although quick dial can be handy and looks kinda cool, i prefer the start bar.
i haven’t updated to newest weekly because i’d miss the start bar..
using
I use the start bar and since the speed dial feature is not the same, I would be very disappointed when the start bar would get removed. It’s useful and can come in very handy for buttons and controls, you don’t need often or that are page/tab specific.
using
Speed Dial will pretty much replace the need for the Start Bar. I personally dislike it, and feel that I’m getting a popup on school computers whenever I want to go to a different site. There are shortcuts for pretty much everything in the start bar–and methods which I find easier to use. Bookmarks.. I could just move my cursor up to the top of the browser. Home, I can just Alt+Home (or double-click). Top 10 are replaced by nicknames I’ve assigned for them (plus the Top 10 really isn’t my top 10, being that visiting a forum takes up 8 of the 10 slots). Amazon and Price comparison searches can be done with [z query], etc.
Opera devs, take the Start bar out of the default view; default Opera should function more like default Firefox and default Internet Explorer (no matter how much I want Opera to be different).
using
I like Start Bar, don’t remove! The Speed Dial is useless and just a processor killer feature.
using
I’m with Ollie and Grrblt. The first thing I do with a new install is to turn off the start bar and drag a home page button onto the toolbar.
Admittedly, that may be related to the fact that I use multiple browsers on a regular basis, so configuring them to be as similar as possible makes it easier to switch between them. Similarly, I use the same set of bookmarks & folders on the personal bar in the two browsers I use most often, Opera and Firefox.
using
i use it, every day. very usefull thing!
using
never use it
using
I use it from time to time. Mostly to access the alternate search engines I have placed there.
using
With their new speeddial feature, i see no use for this startbar now. Although at first, i was trying to get it back, and didn’t understand why it vanished in the first place.
The reason is that i used the startbar as a ’speeddial’ so i really don’t mind them removing it. To me the start bar was some kind of thrash bin
using
I use it ! So default install or not, please allow the option to enable or disable it.
using
I don’t use it, although I did briefly in the past. I’ve found it tends to sit open when I’m doing a lot of refreshes etc during dev work - when I really don’t want it! So personally I’d be happy to have a way to disable it. It certainly shouldn’t be the only place to find things like “home”.
using
I always disable it whenever I make a new installation. I never use it. One thing that I do use is the links toolbar. I set it to “show only when needed”.
using
Personally i dont use teh start bar, but leave it there for the odd-occasion i want to look in the Top 10 list.
Most of my access is directly via the url bar..
Take a look at this image:
http://dd32.id.au/files/opera-layout.png
(66KB, 1800px wide)
As you can see, i prefer the “Standard” layout of windows applications, a menu bar with icons.
I use the area to the left of Panels as a quick-bookmark function, i just drag websites onto that section of the toolbar, it allows me quick and easy access to sites i want to keep for a short time. (+Anything i want permantly goes into Bookmarks, that list of items are just things i’ve found cool and want to keep for less than a month, its much harder to delete things from the bookmarks — It needs a right click -> delete option!)
All searches are done via the url bar.. “g something” for google… “b something” for BtJunkie, etc. I have a Find in page option displayed all the time in the address bar, I use Find in page quite often, and i dont want to have to press other buttons to quickly search the current page.
I’ve got the ability to turn off styles or images with the click of the mouse too..
And the sidebar with mail/RSS is much more accessable, I’ve got a few searches, mailing lists, and all my newsfeeds expanded as well as the mail folders, one click at the edge of the screen and its tucked away neatly.. I rarely use any of the other panel items.
The Rewind and Fast Forward(aka Show) buttons are visible, the ones which let me drop down the list and select which page to rewind to/Fast forward to, not the default ones that dont give an option of how far back to go.
I also tend to put quick-access bookmarklets(ie. the Developer consoles before it was moved into Operas menu system) to the right of the Panels icon, but before all my bookmarks.
That “Enable Proxy Servers” usually isnt there, but its useful being able to put it there, because at present i’m testing an application that acts as a proxy server, much more efficient to just click the mouse once to enable/disable the proxy.
If i knew how, i’d probably release a “Opera for Beginners” edition, basically setup how many other browsers are setup out of the box, with most of the decent features enabled, but not staring the user in the face, instead hidden to one side, or just a small button somewhere in the GUI..
My layouts probably optimized for my large screen size, but i can still see it working rather well with smaller screens.
That image again: http://dd32.id.au/files/opera-layout.png
D
using
I never used the Start Bar - it’s one of the first things i remove after a fresh install. But i’m not interested in Speed Dial either
using
I used to disable it whenever I did an Opera install but I use it so much now. Why on earth did Opera think it was a good idea to remove features?
I’m sorry guys but I’ve got really used to using it now, especially so on my laptop, its going to take a much better list of better features than speed dial to get me to do any more updates (hint, webmaster tools still lacking). Just put it back and everyone is happy, those who don’t use it can get rid of it, those who do (many) remain happy Opera lovers.
using
Never use it, remove it straight away. Wont miss it
using
I turn it off whenever I use a new Opera profile
using
The share number of comments… suggests a love / hate relationship with start bar…
Only sollution, improve it, and let user enable it… on demand…
Or has Opera a better one, in the pipeline… ???
using
I always thought this dangly drop down bar cluttered the screen and even distracted me from using Opera cleanly. I have always immediately turned it off. The personal bar is my dock for sites I want to one-click.
New users can get scared by the default Opera setup, but also they may never know that there is so much power under the hood if it is all hidden by default. I’d still lean for disabling it by default.
using
The start bar is my favorite feature of the Opera web browser that isn’t available in other browsers.
I will be very upset if it is removed in the newest version.
I think its a great way to save space.
using
Never used the start bar. Removed in every installation.
using
Almost not use it,but I don’t know how to remove it.
using
I don’t use it, but I think that Opera should provide this feature as optional.
using
I have never used it, but I agree with the general sentiment - keep it but perhaps turn it off by default.
using
I never use it, it’s useless to me. It should be disabled by default, but an option to be enabled if wanted.
using
keep the start bar, disable it by default as you suggest. It should be renamed to something more descriptive, and maybe the event that makes it to pop up should be customizable. At the moment this event is toggling the address bar.
I use this bar for the top10 and to access my bookmarks - I have the menu bar disabled and don’t use the bookmark panel, I hate to have a personal bar on that just wastes space most of the time. So the start bar is the only way for me to access my bookmarks. I’d like to keep it as a feature that I can turn on after I install opera (c:=
using
I don’t necessarily use the Start Bar but I certainly noticed immediately that it wasn’t there when I used the latest build. I guess I got used to it popping up everything I pressed Ctrl+L.
I think the usefulness of the bar depends greatly on how you usually use the computer. For keyboard-based users like myself, keyboard shortcuts come in a lot more handy then a toolbar any day of the week. I’m much more likely to use Alt+B to invoke the Bookmarks menu and go into it that way rather than use the mouse to access the Start Bar.
I think it should be disabled by default but still available to be turned on.
using
I use it and cannot imagine Opera without the Start Bar!
using
Too much clutter. Anyone from IE or Firefox will see that in Opera as “What are these buttons for?”
Top 10 -> usually not relevant
Home -> Already opened
Bookmark -> There is the same one on the menu bar!
using
The Start Bar … here’s my take: Everything on the Start Bar is the following: 1) Home Button, 2) Top 10 Button, 3) Bookmarks Button, 4) any other button you want (I use the InIE and InFF buttons, for example). Okay, the Start Bar is a place to put buttons. Well, since the Start Bar is gone, I simply put all the buttons except the Home Button (I don’t personally have a need for a Home Button) on the Address Toolbar in between the URL box and the Search box. It’s no problem for me. In fact, I think I like it better this way. Start Bar should probably come back, though, because one minor inconvenience that I see with my moving the buttons to the address bar is the shortened URL box causes a truncated view of the current page URL oftentimes.
using
I just use the panel. I actually find the “start bar” gets in the way, so I turn it off.
using
Both the top ten and home button are useless to me. However, I LOVE the start bar! I have my delicious button, translation button, and bookmark thingy there. If there is anything that is a clutter, that would be the personal bar. I don’t mind it being disabled by default but please don’t remove it
using
I used the start bar (change the name) when I didn’t have a keyboard: the bookmarks and top pages are more accessible this way. Normally I let it live: one of the first things to a new installation is to remove the two cluttery useless search textboxes.
People will use the keyboard again!
using
I use it a lot, and configure it to my liking.
too bad it’s not very useful out-of-the-box.
using
I like and use the start bar. I do not use the personal bar anymore and have it hidden from view.
using
Disabled by deafult.
using
I agree with what Gerard said. The Search bar allows me to simplify the UI interface in a much more satisfying way than any other toolbar provides. I never use the Personal bar.
using
Bring Start Bar back! It’s a good hideable button holder for some infrequently used buttons. But it should be off by default. Those, who get used to it can turn it back manually. Those who hate it, will feel good, too :).
using
I use the start bar regularly, and feel slightly lost without it, in the last weekly.
using
The start bar is the first thing I disable after installation.
using
I hate the start bar and its the first thing I disable after installation. Its a completely useless distraction.
using
i used the start bar as my bookmarkbucket… everything quite entrestig went there and it was much more usable than the personal bar, because it was only there where i need it, e.g. open a new tab for browsing and have access to it but u dont have to put all ur favourites on the top if u brwose ur feeds or mail. that was great.
that fast dial thing looks cool, but is rather limited to that 9 buttons
regards patrick
using
I never used the start bar. I dont use the personal bar either. I use the main bar.
Screenshot : http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/07-004417L/7198/jpg/03/2007/img2/glowfoto
using
I don’t use start bar and always disabled it.
using
I think, that many Opera users can’t feel the abilities of the Startbar. The main advantages to other bars:
- “No limit” of size
- Autoshow (by start) and autohide (by click on page or with Esc button)
- “No limit” of designing (wrapping, selectors)
- “No limit” of types of elements (buttons,links,fields)
And further almost all features that others have. And it can cooperate with the Buttons/Others by drag and drop vica versa, like others. Now isn’t any replacement of Startbar. (Although maight be…:) )
using
Yes I use it, all my buttons are there (top ten, trashed pages, gmail / googlereader / flikr login page, bugme not and some more.) I have all bars hidden exept the address one so…
I also have a mouse geture to poop it open (focus address bar, that is).
using
should be optional
using
I begrudge only one feature by Personal Bar: Preferencies (renaming)
using
I do use Start bar when surfing with Opera, and I missed it in the latest weekly build.
using
I don’t use it, but that’s not why it should be disabled - it should be disabled by default because it clutters and scares new users away.
(For the record, I don’t use the personal bar either. Nicknames, baybee!)
using
As it was said before, it might scare away new users at first. But still really reduces the mouse movement when its properly customized for yourself. So definitely a usability-pro argument.
Moreover it’s a typical Opera “hide me so I can see more of the browser window”-feature, like the sidebar!
Keep it as optional feature!
using
Startbar is good!
(don’t delete it….)
using
I never use. Only use the personal bar. Coult be disabled by default.
using
I have used Opera since the first version, but never used the start bar. Now, I disable it.
What I miss is a better feed-reader in Opera, like Sage in Firefox or, I hate to admitt it, the sidebar in IE 7.
I monitor most web-content by feeds to cut down on distractions in the search for what I am really interested in. Opera needs to catch up on functionality and easy monitoring here.
Why is there no toolbar for feeds along with bookmarks, history, transfers etc.? And why are the panel buttons placed vertically? I would like to have small buttons placed above the sidepanel window (yeah, like IE 7 Arghh).
using
I use the start bar. It’s the only place the home and bookmarks are (except for the menus). The speeddial is more a replacement for the top 10, not the start bar, so I’d really really want the start bar kept. I don’t consider it clutter at all. Most of the time it’s not even visible!
using
I really like Opera (and it’s my 12-yr-old son’s favorite browser!), but I have always disliked that Start Bar–it’s in the way, and clutters up the clean interface.
Your idea is good: have it turned off by default, but make it possible for users to turn it on, if they like it.
using
I used to use it on 1024×768 for Closed Windows, Author Mode, Show Images, Fit to Width, and Zoom. With larger resolutions, I just keep the View toolbar open on the bottom.
using
I also have the start bar enabled and used it for some main bookmarks. Therefore i would also wish, that the start bar is not removed in next opera versions.
But there is one main disadvantage for me:
You can not add a “bookmark” folder to the start bar.
Thus i need a personal bar, where i can add my folders.
using
I have to say, I’m not a fan of the Start bar, I only use the Tab Bar (with new tab and trash can) and Address Bar (with back, rewind, forward, fast forward, home, wand, address box, go, search box, find next, and zoom level).
As far as other bookmarks, as I see some others use the Start Bar for, I don’t mind shift-clicking something in the Bookmarks menu, although I really really wish the UI would follow the same rules as webpages, like Firefox (middle-click opens in new tab, and this would work on the Bookmarks menu, the home/back/rw/forward/ff buttons).
Don’t care what the default settings are though, as long as it’s still as customizable as it is now!
using
I never use the start bar.
using
I sure do. It is a great place to put your secons most used buttons. I place my most important bookmarks in there. I might not instal newer version of Opera without it (atleast for few days)
using
first thing i get rid of on a new machine!
using
I don’t use any type of shortcut keys, (can’t remember them!), I don’t use the Personal bar, (clutters up the screen), and I don’t download the latest weekly builds, (not THAT much of an enthusiast LOL).
I like plenty of screen space and only use the Tab and Address bars, with some buttons.
I like it simple; see it, click it.
For me the Start Bar is one of Opera’s most convenient features - up there with Tabs and Panels.
For less than expert users, as I am, (that just want to get the job done), it is the quickest way to access your favorite bookmarks.
Leave it in, but provide better instructions on how to use it, and you will attract more of the non-expert users.
(Actually applying this to ALL of Opera’s features would go a long to dispelling the myth that Opera is complicated, which scares off the average user.)
using
I always disable it, is annoying to me. I reshape the browser to suit me, and the start bar is justin the way.
using
It was annoying for me and more than half of my friends. I’m really happy to see is removed by default.
using
I use the Start Bar daily. I have a custom menu button, so my File, Edit etc menu is in there, along with my bookmarks and mail button. I haven’t done what I usually would, and upgrade to the latest weekly as I can’t go without the Start Bar
Please Opera, put it back in
using
I never used it, but i like the new Speed Dial
using
I can imagine its usefulness but I never used it.
using
I use the Start Bar! If I never used the Top 10 and Bookmarks buttons in, I places useful buttons like View in IE, View in FF, Validate HTML and Validate CSS…
I could have placed them in the View Bar, but it’s less convenient: I’ve to move my mouse to the far right in order to make it appear, whereas I just need to click in the middle of the the address bar to have access to the Star Bar…
Even if the Speed Dial is useful (with it I can remove my Personnal bar, which I use for my often used bookmarks), you don’t need to remove the Start bar… You’ll make so many users so sad…
using
I love the Start Bar, it gave quick access to the top 10, bookmarks and home. It also gave a some room to place additionnal buttons WITHOUT having to place them in a static bar that you have to show or hide. From a simple click in the address bar it showed it to you and that is why that feature is good. I think even if it’s not default I should be able to enable it quickly.
using
I use a very clean interface. One of the first things i get rid of is the start bar. I put the tabs at the bottom (retro) and do a standard windows skin. No close X on each tab. Status bar at the top and the progress bar pops up at the bottom. No tooltips. Fast and lean.
using
The startbar has to return, I don’t like/use the speed dial real and the startbar I used a lot
using
Whenever I have to install Opera again (new computers etc.) I always turn this off right away. I prefer to use the view bar for custom buttons and the personal bar for any bookmarks. I also use keyboard shortcuts for a lot of stuff (like “home”).
I think this is something that could be hidden by default and only displayed if the user turns it on. It’s nice to keep things simple and let users add functionality as needed.
I personally don’t like auto-hide stuff in general. I also disable the tab preview.
using
Hehe, DanielG,
don’t you think it’s about time for a new Browser Pool question?
using
No!Definetly not.it shouldn’t be disabled by default.
I like the start bar:)
using
I use it all the time, but I think it should be off by default. It can be a bit irritating if you don’t expect it. But certainly leave it as an option because it is has some really useful behavior that can’t easily be replicated elsewhere in the interface.
using
I use Start Bar daily.
using
I have the “Print” ,”Identify as” , Search bar and “Fit to Width” buttons on the start bar. I can’t say I use it daily but the usefullness of the start bar for me is precisely that you don’t have does options on screen all the time, you only see them when you might need them.
using
i used it for things such as pto find out the pages pagerank, how opera should show its self and some other buttons.
plz bring it back
using
Clearly, Daniel, there are just a “few” “vocal” users.
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=179565
using
Have the Start Bar, but seldom use it, no Personal Bar.
using
Wow wow wow, calm down people
I think Opera got the message. Nearly no one would mind it beeing off by default, and more or less no one says remove it totaly. Though there is more or less only “power users” represented in this blog anyway (looking around to see if my mum is around), nope everyone around here do know how to handle a browser.
Then again, makes me think. Would we have this discussion if Opera had extensions the same way Firefox has? Or at least some way to access the chrome with our pretty pretty code?
- ØØ -