First Look: OperaNetwork World, 2/3/97
Opera delivers pretty much what it promises: It's a lightweight, fast Web client that keeps up with the increasingly bloated browsers from Netscape Communications Corp. and Microsoft Corp. You get a client that supports tables, frames and inline videos and that has a Usenet reader at least the equal of Netscape's and Microsoft's.
It even has some features the better-known browsers do not. One of the most useful is its ability to link two browser windows so that the output from clicking on a hyperlink in one shows up in the other. This is particularly handy when doing heavy-duty searches on servers such as AltaVista or when reading Usenet messages that refer to Web sites - no longer do you have to keep hitting your Back button or alt-tab to get back to the original page.
Another feature is great for people who can't stand all those blinking, flashing animated-GIF displays. Opera can be set to show only the first image in the display (so you get an idea of what the image is about without having to watch it flash endlessly). You can also disable frames.
Opera does not support Java or ActiveX (although some might argue that's a feature) or Netscape plug-ins.
The software does have some quirks: Where Netscape has an Open button for typing in URLs, Opera wants you to click on Direct. Opera also uses a quirky 3D effect to display hyperlinks that looks bad on white backgrounds - which many sites use.
Opera also tries to display hyperlinks in a thin three-dimensional box. Unfortunately, some of the lines that make up the box are white, which makes for odd-looking hyperlinks on sites that have white backgrounds.
Opera comes in Windows 3.1 and 95 versions, with pricing starting at $30 per license.
- Adam Gaffin