Eve's Garden

The Opera is No Longer Boring

Let’s go to the Opera. The web opera, that is. For the many Mac and PC users tired of their lackluster Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari, going to the opera might just be the best move in cyber land.
Opera, a downloadable web browser, introduces its latest upgrade, Opera 9.6. This newest version is packed with unique and useful features that other web browsers commonly lack. Using Opera 9.6 can make your time on the Internet more convenient, faster and of course, more fun.
Utilizing all Opera 9.6 has to offer can be a little overwhelming, however, understanding a few key features in itself can make a world of a difference in your web-browsing experience.
First, Opera 9.6 lets you be your own, even with a browser. In today’s world of constant customization, Opera 9.6 offers hundreds of unique skins for your new web browser. Considering how many hours the typical person spends surfing the web, Opera’s customizable skins are ideal, allowing you to change the colors, themes and overall “look” of your Internet.
First, click on the “Tools” tab and scroll down to “Appearance.” Once in “Appearance,” simply browse through the number of skins and press “OK.” Choose from Benzo Black Plastic to O’Simple. I personally downloaded Princess of the Opera, a girly pink skin for my Opera, a skin I consider very pleasant
Additionally, Opera 9.6 includes a new feature called “speed dial.” Speed dial is a set of visual bookmarks which you can set your favorite nine Web sites, each to a specific number, similar to a phones speed dial setting. Setting your personal “Speed Dial,” is easy. The Speed Dial “numbers” will appear the moment you open up Opera. Then, click on a number, one through nine. A screen will pop-up, where you can choose from your most commonly used URL’s or type in a URL and click “Enter.”
For myself, I added my Yahoo! Mail to my number one speed dial. Next time I want to access that web page, I simply pressed “Command + 1” and it will automatically directed me to my Yahoo! Mail. Altogether simplifying a mouse-less navigation.
Most amazing about the Opera 9.6 features is the “Opera Widgets”, “handy small programs which you can download free and use on your desktop, mobile phone or TV,” according to the Opera website.
Users can download from a wide array of programs, anything from the popular SimAquarium, a simulated aquarium for your desktop, simple analog clocks, or perhaps, “doToo,” to do lists. Scouring through lists of Widgets, any “techie” will get excited with the number and variety of applications.
To download a Widget click on the “Widget” tab and click “add widget.” Next, it will automatically direct you to the Widget page online. Once here, one can browser through the hundreds of Widgets available. After viewing a Widget that interests you, simple press the big “launch” button to download.
Altogether, these three added features on Opera 9.6 create an easy-to-use yet entertaining web browser. Unlike other many other web browsers, Opera allows customizable settings, sure to please any web-surfer. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the sweet sights and sounds of the Opera.

posted by Eve @ 6:35 PM