Opera: My New Default Web Browser
I’ve made the big browser switch - sort of - but this time from Firefox to Opera.
Unfortunately there are web sites that don’t render correctly in Opera, and I plan on continuing to use Firefox either way. I also am not very comfortable with some aspects of Opera’s user interface… so why switch at all, even if only partially?
The answer: Performance.
Opera is one fast little bugger. It loads a bit faster when you initially start the program, and it definitely renders pages faster than Firefox. Regardless of the reasons for the performance difference, Opera simply feels…. well, “zingy”.
Another issue is the incredible ammount of memory that Firefox uses. By now many have heard that this is not a memory leak, but rather a feature. Firefox caches pages and/or tabs in system memory to increase performance. This behavior can be tweaked or disabled completely but loading about:config in the Firefox address bar, but that’s rather cumbersome.
Ironically, Opera requires none of this tweaking, uses far less system resources, and still manages to perform faster.
I’m not necessarily saying that Opera is better than Firefox, I’m simply saying that I’m tired of Firefox’s performance issues. Case in point, I posted a few days ago about how Firefox used just under 300 MBs of memory immediately before crashing. The only other software on my computer that meets or surpases that level of resource consumption is EverQuest 2.
I still prefer Firefox though, and I’m certainly not getting rid of it. So here is what I’m going to do.
Opera is set as the default browser, but the Firefox icon is still in the Quick Launch toolbar next to the Start button. So is the Opera icon. So links that I click from IM chats will open in Opera but I’ll still have quick access to Fox and will continue using it. Currently, I switch about 50/50 between the browsers for my average browsing habits.
Lastly, I’ll probably never completely get rid of Firefox. This is because of the extensions, the plugins, and the over all user friendliness.
I plan on giving Opera a serious go and will be giving a full report on my experience with it, comparisons between the two, my reasons for disliking (and liking) certain features, and so forth. This is being done completely out of my personal interest and curiosity, and not out of any request or any perceived demand.
For now, I’m tired and it’s definitely bed time. Good night all.
~Steph
Topics: Waste Basket |
February 15th, 2006 at Feb 15, 06 | 7:44 am
Steph, first of all I have to say that I like your personalization of hemingway theme, kudos …
Then, can you say us what platform are you using Opera on ?
I am toying around with the 9.0beta 2 preview (on windows and I’m seconds ahead to upgrade the 8.51 on Linux).
At last, how are you managing without the extensions ?
Thanks !
February 15th, 2006 at Feb 15, 06 | 12:25 pm
Hello Kool,
About Hemingway. I would like to take credit for the nice clean look, but I have to be honest that the white look is provided by an update to the theme.
My O/S is Windows XP SP2. I gave up on switching to Linux due to multiple problems. However, a pal of mine almost has me convinced to try Xandros, so I may do that yet.
Browsing without the extensions is a reminder of why I use the extensions.
They’re tools of convenience for me: Auto-linking textual URLs that aren’t otherwise linked, the removal of the most annoying advertisements, and some customization with Greasemonkey to name a few.
I miss them.
What buggers me the most about Opera so far, though, is the UI and the not-quite-right display of websites. For example, the “Add your comment” button on this page is partially inside of the text box. I also do NOT like the default behavior of tabs and I hope to find an option for that, but have yet to do so.
I have other thoughts but I’m saving them for a more thorough write up.
On a side note, the “Add your comment” button is also smearing in the text box as I scroll up and down.
Anyway, almost time to eat.
Good day over yonder.
~Steph
February 20th, 2006 at Feb 20, 06 | 7:10 pm
I’ll be posting a one week update some time tomorrow. It’ll cover some of the things that I like and dislike about the browser, and will probably…. probably… include screen shots.
Pictures are more interesting than words, after all.
~Steph