Opera (web browser)
Opera is a web browser that is commonly used by people who are either really into technology or are just trying to be different from everyone else. Despite its small market share, the browser has managed to stick around since its debut in 1995.
History
The history of Opera is long and convoluted, but essentially it started out as a Norwegian company looking to create a web browser that was better than Internet Explorer. They achieved that goal pretty quickly, mostly by not being Internet Explorer.
One of Opera’s biggest innovations was introducing tabs to the browsing experience, allowing you to easily switch between different sites without having to open a new window each time. This was a game-changer, especially for people who were constantly juggling multiple websites (read: everyone).
Features
Opera has a lot of features that you probably don’t care about, but here are a few highlights:
- Speed Dial: This feature lets you set up a grid of your favorite websites so you can quickly access them without having to type in the URL every time. It’s like having a fancy bookmark menu.
- Opera Turbo: If you’re on a slow internet connection, Opera Turbo can compress web pages to make them load faster. It’s kind of like putting your website through a car wash, except the car wash is in Norway.
- Built-in VPN: Opera has a built-in virtual private network (VPN) so you can browse the internet anonymously. This is great if you’re trying to hide from the government or your ex.
Popularity
Opera is not a very popular web browser, but it does have a cult following. Think of it like the indie band of browsers. You might not know anyone else who uses it, but the people who do use it are really into it.
The main reason Opera isn’t more popular is because its competitors (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) are all really good. Opera is like the kid who shows up to a party wearing a bowtie and suspenders. Sure, he’s different, but that doesn’t mean anyone wants to hang out with him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Opera is a quirky little browser that’s been around for ages. It’s got some cool features that you might find useful, but it’s not going to change your life. Still, if you want to be different from all your friends who use Chrome, give Opera a try. Who knows, maybe you’ll start a new trend.