When I create websites I like to cross test them in all “main stream” browsers.  I recently downloaded Opera for this purpose.   I was in a time warp.  It looks and loads much like Netscape Navigator (does anyone remember Netscape?).  I felt like I was 15 on a dial up connection from my local library all over again.

Looking at the locations of their offices, it seems it may fill in a much needed niche in certain countries (i.e. Poland and Korea).  I support the company trying to make a name amongst the sharks; competition is of course what breeds better products.  As an American user…who has Chrome, Firefox and Safari…using the Opera Browser makes about as much sense as why something called “Opera” has a little purple bird as part of their branding.

I’m interested to see what they will bring to plate in future releases.  They do have a California office which leads me to believe there are definite long terms goals of battling the titans we all know and may or may not love.   I would like to suggest that while their programming team is pumping away at their keyboards, they have someone with modern marketing experience re-branding their logo, imagery, and redesigning the website.

I’m going to continue to cross test my sites on Opera because I would never want a visitor to be alienated from enjoying the content on this, or any other, site I create.  Actually, a few changes to The Dirty Sun are being uploaded this evening to aid in loading times for all browsers and intelligent mobile viewing.

Do you use the Opera Web Browser?   Share your experience, likes, dislikes, and so on with Opera.