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April 25, 2005

Calm The Fuck Down - Why Nothing Has Really Changed With Opera 8

Just because discussion seems to be continuing still, and because Opera is Opera, and they've made decisions that people have to live with, I'll say this - Opera, as far as I know, wants/tries its hardest to accomodate new users who "just want a browser" - one that is very little except faster/more secure etc. than their last browser, most likely IE. That's why they answer the question "What is a Browser?", and still maintain instructions on how to mimic other browsers. You might also be interested in Rijk's journal entry on updated versions of those custom setups.

Never, in all this, has Opera stepped away from their stated intention to be most things to whoever they can convince. It's still the same browser made by the same people - just set up by default to be easier for the newbies. Mail, RSS, IRC, etc. are all still there in what is without a doubt the most customisable browser ever made. If you know how, you could make it do cartwheels and dance and peel grapes. Macarena Time.

People who have been using Opera for a while (Fanboys by any other name) can have a vested interest in not wanting things to be "dumbed down" - as I've said, Go To Bed, Would You Please. There is very little that has changed that cannot be changed back to the way you had it before - you want it so badly, figure it out, or ask in the forums. Honestly I'm surprised there hasn't been a greater outcry regarding the new simplified Preferences Menu. Certainly the pruning of verbiage in the menu bar (which I turn off anyway) is always welcome.

Opera doesn't make it a habit of alienating users. When they change things they normally do it because it makes things better - just because that was how it was then doesn't mean it's the best thing now. Maybe you preferred pressing 1 to go to the next page or 2 for the previous - but the other way makes much more sense. And really, when Opera does things badly, they hear about it, even when the people saying it (ie: me) are being (let's face it) assholes. And at the end of the day, Opera needs to make money and compete to make money - and I can't think of a better incentive for people to get things right, or make things right.

No I haven't forgotten, Opera vs. Firefox is still coming up.

Posted by subtitles at April 25, 2005 9:57 AM | Opera Boggling

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Comments

Your Post has an interesting lead?
However it misses the point. I agree you are right on every point you make, except one? Making money is not the ONLY reason to do "anything" as far as a motivating factor? Your view is not the only one? Donald Trump told me once "That only poor people worried about MONEY"? What was he telling me? Or should I care what he meant? Was this just pure cynicism? I think not? In the world of today there are just too many people who are just too divisive, without giving a damn thought to what the "other guy" is saying to you? Can we not or have we become to opinionated to give a little charity. In your post you criticize both sides of the idea. Is this what you meant to say or do? It is a long life and just maybe "the ocean swimmer" is just paraphrasing the Donald?

Posted by: Red Man's Revenage [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 25, 2005 12:16 PM

"Give me that which I want, and you shall have this which you want, is the meaning of every such offer; and it is in this manner that we obtain from one another the far greater part of those good offices which we stand in need of. It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."

"By pursuing his own interest, he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good."

Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations.

Posted by: subtitles [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 25, 2005 12:57 PM