SubscribeRSS Feed

Opera CTO talks about the OLPC computer

Published June 6th, 2007 4:57 PM EDT By Daniel Goldman

At the Reboot 9.0 conference last week Opera CTO Hakon Wium Lie showed off his little toy, the OLPC laptop, to a crowd gathered around him. Opera is working with various governments, who will be purchasing these computers, to get the Opera browser preinstalled on them. (Watch the video)

In case you missed the video demo Hakon did with me of Opera on the OLPC laptop, watch it here now.

(Via olpc.tv)

If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.

:: Post a Comment
« An interview with the people working on usability and user experience in Opera
Opera Mini usage continues to grow, according to NetApplications »

8 Comments

Feed for this Post
  1. 1 IceArdor Jun 6th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    Thanks for the link, Daniel!

  2. 2 Grey Jun 6th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    Could we actually have names of these governments? I know there are quite a few adopting OLPC, but afaik nobody confirmed any Opera Country™, yet.

  3. 3 Daniel Goldman Jun 6th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.50 on Windows Windows XP

    Grey, that’s correct. It’s a work in progress.

  4. 4 Dante Jun 7th, 2007 at 1:26 am
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    This made my morning. So we have

    • Howcome mentioning you can play MP3 songs, then argue against Flash :) Closed codecs are as bad as closed plugins, of course
    • “There’s Opera on my laptop” sticker :lol: It wasn’t there last time the CTO showcased the XO prototype
    • The classical let-me-weigh-your-laptop-while-my-partner-asks-you-a-question. I would have run with the thing :D
    • How painless browser installing always turns a little painful
    • At the Reboot conference Howcome argues you shouldn’t have to reboot the XO :)
    • “Images, text, images, graphics, video” Graphics ? Meaning SVG ? Where’s audio ?

    Q: Internet Explorer should do it?
    A: They should, absolutely. They don’t listen to me, though :lol:

    Cheers, Hakon!

  5. 5 waywardpress Jun 7th, 2007 at 8:49 am
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    What was the open alternative to flash video mentioned in the interview? Sounded like Auxerra, but the accents make it a little difficult to tell.

  6. 6 ResearchWizard Jun 7th, 2007 at 9:51 am
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    waywardpress: there is an experimental Opera build with native video support. As menioned in the interview the supported format is OGG Theora

  7. 7 Daniel Goldman Jun 7th, 2007 at 10:56 am
    using Opera Opera 9.50 on Windows Windows XP

    waywardpress, here is more info about the OGG Throra video codec: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theora

  8. 8 waywardpress Jun 8th, 2007 at 10:29 am
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    Ah, “Ogg Theora”, not “Auxerra”. Thanks for setting me straight.

About this blog


Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

Subscribe

Subscribe to Opera Watch, and stay in touch with the latest Opera browser buzz.

Opera Mini

Get Opera Mini

View this page in Opera Mini

Opera Mini demo

Opera Tips

(More opera tips)

Search Opera Watch

Note: I encourage you to copy and translate my blog posts to your non-English blog. Do you have an Opera blog (with more than 90% of the content Opera-related)? Let me know and I'll add it to the list above.

About Opera


Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com