[Opera-users] basic browser

[Rob Cunningham]

10/06/2001 17:47:03, "Tass" <anim at operamail.com> wrote:

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>I wasn't part of the survey; wasn't even aware one took place.  
>No matter now.
>
>But since the subject has been raised, one of the things I've 
>enjoyed about Opera all this time is that unlike many other apps, 
>It DIDN'T try to be "all-things" to all people.  
>It was a browser.  A damn good browser.  And that's what it did.  
>
>It was quite capable of handling all of my browsing needs.  My 
>Email client, Calypso, does a great job of handling my Email, and 
>for the very few IM's I have with family, every IM out there can 
>be obtained as an independent down-load.  
>
>I was quite disappointed to find Email and IM included in recent 
>versions as it has always been my understanding that integration 
>of programs and of the OS was one of the things that Opera was 
>helping us fight.  
>
>If these new "features" have colored my view of Opera, it is only by 
>a couple of shades.  
>But I must say, every new "feature" that is actually a new built in 
>program, only serves to add the dreaded "bloat", just like that of the 
>"big pigs" and therefore, makes Opera look (and feel) more and more 
>just like them every day.
>Since I haven't had more than a passing glance at other people's IE or 
>NS for more than a couple of years, I can't say how much Opera is 
>now like them.  
>But from what I remember of them, These latest versions are starting 
>to brings back some not-so-fond memories.  :-)  
>
>At this point, I still wouldn't trade my Opera for anything.  But it would 
>make my day if up-coming versions were a browser.  JUST a browser.  
>One with worth while pluggin program options maybe, but without 
>being the much dreaded "bloat-ware" that for so long, Opera proudly 
>claimed NOT to be.  
>
>Just my opinion since nobody asked.
>
>T

I quite agree - the other features (email, IM, news)  should be optional plug ins. I like them, and I'd be disappointed if they went completely, but they should be added extras.

Having said that, compare Opera' email and IM clients with Microsofts or AOLs (who now own Netscape and ICQ) - Opera's ones must take less than a tenth of the resources of either of theirs. Still, they should be optional 
extras, especially as this would allow more similar programs with no more code needed for the basic download version. Maybe a worthwhile news client, IRC, etc - even user made ones. If it's coded right, people who just 
want a browser would need to download no more for any number of these...

Cheers,
Rob C

rob.cunn at btinternet.com
www.bcosolutions.com