Overview of what’s coming up with the next major upgrade to Opera
Published May 4th, 2007 11:02 AM EDT By Daniel GoldmanAlastor, on his Avencious blog, sums up some of the major additions, enhancements and fixes for the next major upgrade to Opera (code name Kestrel), likely Opera 9.5.
I’ve been using and testing internal builds of this new browser for some time already, and I must say that I’m impressed with all the rendering issues and compatibility problems that have been fixed. The Opera developers and QA are working hard on this one.
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Yes, God exists! Somebody is working on M2
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Languages or fonts problem is missing.
It is serious problem to the korean( maybe ,,,east asian countries).
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I would like to use Opera, but it does not have google toolbar like IE and Firefox!
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Very cool! I’m glad to see text-shadow confirmed. Something I’d really like to see, though, is support for box-shadow. Sure there are plenty of tricks to simulate drop-shadows on objects, but I did some experimenting with the WebKit nightlies a few months ago, and was very impressed by some of the CSS3 properties they implemented.
Combine that with border-radius (assuming everyone can agree on syntax) and some really nice possibilities open up.
So, odds on either of these showing up in Peregrine?
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Nice article. It makes me even more enthusiastic about the new builds.
That’s because Opera has no extension system, unlike Firefox and Internet Explorer. One of the major reasons that Opera doesn’t include a system like this is because of security issues. Internet Explorer is easily hijacked through security flaws in it’s extension system, and the one in Firefox isn’t bullet proof either, so Opera Software views it as too great of a security risk, and many of their users agree.
So, for the sake of argument, what does the Google toolbar do that you can’t already do in Opera?
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no other browser has an upcoming release even close to what you guys 1) already have, & 2) have in the works
dang…opera rocks!
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Hmm, what about some MathML support? Would be very appreciated
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I didn’t read anything on native built-in inline spell checking for single-line and multi-line text boxes.
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What about easier userjs installation, the most popular request in the forums?
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Yea, Opera’s a bit behind in that area. Seriously, Konqueror has had that ability for years (with Aspell installed)…
For now, you can use Opera’s cheesy Aspell integration, or you can opt for one of the UserJS solutions (which only work in webpages) such as OSpell.
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That is hardly the most popular request.
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He predicts the release date of Kestrel will be the end of this year. I hope this is his speculation. We can’t wait so long!
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It seems like only yesterday that I first opened up Opera 8.0… And here we are talking about Opera 10. Wow… crazy. Too bad the Internet Exploder team can’t follow that development pace.
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Sadly, no one but Opera Software follows that development pace for a web browser. Opera hasn’t always been ahead of the crowd in development speed, but they sure are keeping ahead of everyone now…
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Yes, I’ve tried Aspell and Ospell, but they are not as great as Firefox’s. I also forgot to add “real-time” to my original sentence. :p
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I just hope that this increase in development speed doesn’t result in a decrease in stability…
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Cant wait to see 9.5 in action!
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With about 50 +1s, and not one single -1! It is definately a popular request.
I just checked the forums, seems like inline spellchecking is even more popular. Oh well, that makes easier userjs number two.
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Will there be HTML email composing in the new version?
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Considering the fact that Opera Software has been doing a lot of hiring recently, I doubt that the increase in development speed is causing a decrease in quality.
Also, since Kestrel is half bug fixes, it’s doubtful that Opera Software is overlooking stability in any way.
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I never expected the quality to degrade; I just felt for instance with Opera 9, that it was a bit rushed and wasn’t it’s usual rock solid self (9.1 and 9.2 are though). I know Opera 9.5 (and 10) are focusing on compatibility and bug fixes, but that still doesn’t mean if they rush it, it’ll be stable. As long as they don’t fix themselves an exact deadline, then the end product should be it’s usual high quality standard
Unfortunately because Opera is still a minority amongst desktop browsers, any instability found in it instantly results in less people wanting to use it (although it’s usually more stable than other browsers). Hence when I talk about stability I’m comparing it to its own high standard (not other browsers).
All that said, I still can’t wait
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[quote]I’ve been using and testing internal builds[/quote]
Can rss feeds be organized in folders or something?? Give atleast a small hint please
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One thing I really want to see is API for developing addons.
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well how about stopping this kind of POP-UP??
http://www.popuptest.com/popuptest8.html
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That’s not going to happen. If Opera did that, then they would become Firefox and Internet Explorer. Also, a whole new door would be opened for security flaws.
Besides, many of Opera’s users (myself included) prefer the lack of extensions, because it helps keep them safer.
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“With about 50 +1s, and not one single -1! It is definately a popular request.
I just checked the forums, seems like inline spellchecking is even more popular. Oh well, that makes easier userjs number two.”
Yeah, let’s ignore those other threads about M2, Linux/Unix international version, API, content blocker improvements, tab browsing improvements, etc that populate the wish list forum every week…
Dude, the fact that an easier UserJS installation request is popular (and useful, I might add) doesn’t make it the *most* popular at all; it’s wanted and needed but if you want to see what’s a popular request take a look at some old threads like the site-specific preferences or the adblocker ones.
Besides, it has been said by Opera that votes do not mean much, the important thing is that the feature is useful for a mayority of users (not necessarily those who post in the forums) and it doesn’t involve major drawbacks.
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I disagree. Well, even userjs feature can be easily exploited.
I have the power to choose what extension I install. An add-on can be considered another software. I can go and install a spyware, but that doesnt mean I should have the power to download a software at all.
Without add-ons doesnt matter what Opera does it can’t satisfy every user. And I believe Opera’s aim is to give power to users. Also, the fact is addons have been implemented by all major browser (atleast on Windows Platform) - Ie7, Firefox and Maxthon.
Take the example of softwares. Winamp is so popular, mainly because of it’s addons.
If you dont want it, you can always choose not to install the add-ons.
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‘fix themselves an exact deadline’
:D
When have they *ever* done this?? (in public)
It is always WIR, RSN, etc……. :/
- you did say ‘exact’ , not ‘end of year’, ‘in a few months’, etc?????
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Sorry Jadd, easier User JS isn’t even in the top 10 list.
But how do you know what will and won’t happen GT500?
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@illiad: I was referring to release of Opera 9. Most of the time, there’s no exact deadline but seeing opera 10 (and maybe even 9.5) is going to be a major release, they might do the same thing with Opera 9, which is fine as long as they only release it when it’s ready to be released.
@XP1: I actually prefer Ospell over Firefox’s inline spell-check; I don’t like seeing those red squiggly underlines under everything I type (this is especially annoying when u type code or abbreviated words), I prefer being able to get a spell check only when I want it. That said the ideal case would be to have an inline spell check which allows u to choose whether or not to auto spell check (I would be surprised if Firefox didn’t have this).
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I agree that UserJS can be exploited, and I have pointed out how it can be exploited in a forum topic a while ago, but there is no automated way to install UserJS, so it’s not as big of a threat.
Since addons and extensions can be installed from within the browser, then there will always be security flaws that will allow rogue addons to install themselves without the user’s knowledge. There’s no way around it, it will always be possible. It’s the most popular way to hijack Internet Explorer, self-installing addons that produce no warning or confirmation messages.
I, along with many other, will not use a browser that has an extension system like Firefox or Internet Explorer. It’s too great of a security risk.
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I don’t know the plans of Opera Software, but there has always been great resistance from Opera Software to the idea of extensions.
Their feeling has always been that if they add support for extensions, then Opera would become Firefox. We don’t need two Firefoxes. There’s just no point in that. So, extensions don’t get added.
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You can temporarily disable the spell check by right-clicking in the text box and deselecting “Spell check this field.” You can also disable it forever in the Tools > Options > Advanced > Uncheck “Check my spelling as I type.” By default, spell checking in Firefox is deselected for single-line text boxes, but you can right-click and reselect “Spell check this field.” Inline spell checking has me stuck with Firefox.
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Yes, extensions can be exploited. But, the success of firefox has shown that it can work without causing any significant problems.
Without extensions I have to almost always have Fx open by my side to do one thing or the other. API is the way to go forward. And as always, if someone doesnt want it they should have the option to disable it.
The problem of auto install can also be solved. Fx has added a delay mechanism which helps.
Also, Opera can add other protections. One possibility is to repackage and encrypt (the encryption key being based on some factor like workstation name)an addon upon being downloaded with user’s permission. Since, its encrypted malware makers wont be able to replicate and bypass Opera’s install mechanism.
That is an incorrect assessment on their part. So, maxthon = firefox just because it supports add-ons? No! Maxthon is completely different from Firefox, and it manages to retain its identity because it has several unique features and uses a different rendering engine.
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Just wait until Konqueror is released for Windows.
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I’m glad to see they will be working on M2. I can’t wait to upgrade!
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“I don’t know the plans of Opera Software, but there has always been great resistance from Opera Software to the idea of extensions.
Their feeling has always been that if they add support for extensions, then Opera would become Firefox. We don’t need two Firefoxes. There’s just no point in that. So, extensions don’t get added.”
Looks like you are making too many assumptions here, huh?.
No one from Opera has ever said that there won’t be an API (or maybe an improved internal actions system which behaves more like an scripting language and includes more actions) and that’s basically the whole point. Other than that it is just pure speculation.
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How do you know their feelings?
Confused.
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Finally, some M2 fixes…
I use M2 on a daily basis, and find some things VERY frustrating..
The lockups when checking mail, is a bug problem for me (RSS feed checking seems the worst, as it brings everything in Opera to it’s knees on my high spec PC).
I REALLY hope they implement a way to only grab the last few hundred messages in a newsgroup (something Outlook Express has always supported), as when I visit a high traffic newsgroup infrequently, I have to endure 1,000’s of messages before I get to THIS WEEKS’s postings.. Totally unbelivable that Opera Newsgroup viewer cannot “get last xx messages”. M2 developers, please say it’s true
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They’ve made their feelings rather clear in the past. I was pretty certain that I’d seen an interview on OperaWatch where Opera’s CEO expressed that sentiment, but I can’t find it again…
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Weird, I haven’t heard anything about that before.
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Really? As far as I can remember, Opera’s CEO has always had a negative view of extensions…
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As I have said before around here, never say never. It’s never easy to guess what lies behind the next turn.
From my bookmarks:
Opera 8 FAQ:
Why doesn’t Opera support extensions?
Opera does not support third party extensions as a quality assurance measure. Opera has rather incorporated the most useful and popular features in its browser and holds itself accountable for the functionality of these features. With integrated features rather than extensions, users are not subjected to the vulnerabilities of extensions created by third parties, which may or may not go through a verification or testing process. With the largest Web browser development lab in the world, Opera ensures that all of its features are smoothly integrated, tested and ready for the user.
Web developer chat with Mr. Jon von Tetzchner:
Pony Question from redondos :
Since adas touched the firefox subject, what do you think about an extensions-like system for Opera? Is it feasible, or even planned? I believe it could greatly enhance the already-ver-featureful Opera browser.
Pony Question from fearphage : Are there currently plans to implement a more powerful API structure like that of Firefox? If so, is this something that might make into Opera 10 or even further into the future?
JonSvT: In general, I can not tell you what we will be doing on these fronts. It is clear, however, that you can look forward to some very interesting stuff coming from Opera. The Widgets are a good start and IMHO they are a very good start. There is more to come.
JonSvT : Sorry to not be able to be more specific, but … well, you know.
- ØØ -
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Sorry, forgot the link to the WebChat: http://files.myopera.com/ResearchWizard/chatlogs/chat_2007-03-01_CEO-Jon-von-Tetzchner.html
- ØØ -
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The chat makes it sound like they are going to add at least a basic extension system.
I guess I wouldn’t mind if it was only able to affect the GUI, and there were easy controls to turn of the entire system, and to disable in-browser installation (requiring that you drop the files in the proper folders manually to install anything).
I really don’t want to see Opera implement extensions. That not beating the competition, that’s becoming the competition…
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“That not beating the competition, that’s becoming the competition…” a bit of a stupid quote, really….
If the competition wins $millions, dont say you dont want it!!!
… I’m sorry, either way you twist it, it is *still* stupid….
If no.5 beats no.4, what does it become???? dont tell me you didnt get 4!!!!!
the proper way to say it, when Opera gets *safe* addons similar to Firefox, is it will **join** the competition…. and if becomes ‘better’ or ‘equal’ then everyone will be happy!
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Any system of ‘addons’ or ‘extensions’ that is ’safe’ would be difficult to use, and would turn users off. In fact, it’d be about like UserJS is right now. No way of installing from within the browser, and manual setup in order to get them to work the first time you want to use them.
I’d be much happier if they would just extend UserJS to allow it to exist outside of webpages, and in Opera’s UI. That would give most extension lovers much of what they want without opening up new doors for more dangerous security flaws.
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what about the ’similar to firefox’ part??
are you saying that FF extensions are either ‘unsafe’ or ‘difficult to use’ ???
enough ‘double-talk’ - FF seems to be happy enough with it’s extensions, surely Opera can compete???
And no, I *dont* think we want to break out of the ‘walled garden’ of JS!!
- it is this ‘broken wall’ that makes ‘ActiveX’ so difficult to manage!! (needing Mb’s of patches every week just to fill another hole…)
I think prevention is better than cure!!