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Opera 10 gets a facelift in new snapshot build
With their developers continuing work on version 10 of the browser, the Opera team has decided to release a snapshot build of a potential new look. It's a definite change from the the thick black tabs used in the previous version and more like the designs implemented in other popular browsers.
One minor gripe I have with the redesign is the slightly off-center main navigation bar. It's subtle, but the few extra pixels below the buttons look more like an oversight than a design decision.
Hide the main menu, and Opera 10's interface looks a lot like Chrome and Safari. Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so whether or not the new skin helps Opera's popularity remains to be seen. The browser itself shows a lot of promise, and is worth playing with if you haven't done so already.
One minor gripe I have with the redesign is the slightly off-center main navigation bar. It's subtle, but the few extra pixels below the buttons look more like an oversight than a design decision.
Hide the main menu, and Opera 10's interface looks a lot like Chrome and Safari. Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so whether or not the new skin helps Opera's popularity remains to be seen. The browser itself shows a lot of promise, and is worth playing with if you haven't done so already.
Comments
21
Subscribe to commentsQuinnMay 27th 2009 1:08PM
Did they just build chrome and call it Opera?
MKMay 27th 2009 9:13PM
FYI when they build Chrome, they copy the tab-above-address-bar feature from Opera.
ainstusharMay 28th 2009 8:26AM
And also, Opera was the first one to introduce tab browsing features.
And oh, I forgot, they also have 100/100 on Acid 3 testing. And not to mention the 2nd most copied feature - the Opera Dial - was copied by Chrome and Safari and numerous Firefox extensions.
I am not saying Chrome doesn't have any new features, believe me, they do. But you also need to know that Opera is usually the first one to come up with amazing features that other browsers copy.
So... your comment is quite misleading.
SkapigMay 27th 2009 1:20PM
It's a mistake to get so caught up in the default UI configuration of Opera. That's not to say that it isn't important for it to be attractive and usable "out of the box", but it is highly customizable and has been for many years. Opera just does a lousy job of promoting this and many reviewers ignore it even though it's been that way for years. I used to hate the default layout and skin, but they have gotten a lot better with time.
New skins for the application are very easy to find and to apply (Tools -> Appearance... -> Find More Skins. On top of that, you can arrange just about every UI component that you see in the main interface as you see fit through drag-and-drop actions. Add components. Remove components. It's quite easy. You can make the UI look as sparse or as full as you want. You do this through the Toolbars and Buttons (a misnomer since it offers more than just buttons) tabs of the same Appearance window. This is not at all a time-intensive task.
Kenn.keeperMay 27th 2009 3:29PM
I agree,,,,,I've been using Opera for a number of years now as my main browser (even when it had ad support). I've tried others but in the long run I came back. Yes you can make it pretty and add thing to it like other browsers but to me a browser is just that, something to browse around the internet. I like fast, safe and does what it's meant to do....
Kenn.....
der_tuxmanMay 27th 2009 3:41PM
Still ugly crap.
SkapigMay 27th 2009 4:06PM
So pick a skin that you do like and arrange it as you see fit. As I described above, it's easy.
der_tuxmanMay 27th 2009 4:29PM
I haven't found ANY Opera skin which really convinced me so far. Always looks like Opera. With a skin, though.
SensaiMay 27th 2009 11:50PM
I have found that Opera is, in terms of appearance, by far the most customizable browser.
It may not do much in terms of usability (there are a pages that don't load correctly) and it is getting closer to no longer being the fastest browser (although, Chrome may already be beating it marginally), but it certainly does customizing and safety right.
MKMay 28th 2009 4:02AM
Try Gamma, my favorite.
And oh, Opera doesn't even have to restart the browser when the skin changes :)
hdraogmirMay 27th 2009 6:00PM
Mr. Hicks has done a great job indeed.
The new default skin is a great increment over the old ones, and a lot of attention has been given to detail - even though it's not completely done yet.
Looking forward to the Beta.
LorenMay 27th 2009 11:20PM
I largely use Firefox these days, but I still think Opera has the best GUI out of all the modern browsers -- it drives me crazy that none of the rest let me put the tab bar *below* the browsing window out-of-the-box. (Actually, aside from Firefox, I'm pretty sure the rest of the current crop of browsers can't do this at all.)
FrancisMay 31st 2009 10:01PM
Opera can do this, just not "out-of-the-box", here's a screenshot of my setup with the tabs below the address bar (notice the menu as an icon and Speed Dial with custom icons - as you can probably tell, I'm a minimalist):
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/brotherfrancis/2009-05-18_014826.jpg
You did say "the current crop of browsers can't do this at all", so that is a false statement as proven by my screenshot... :P
LorenMay 31st 2009 10:04PM
Uhh... no, Opera *does* do this out of the box (unlike Firefox which requires an extension), therefore I find it to have the best GUI of all the modern browsers. Which was exactly the point of my comment.
LorenMay 31st 2009 10:07PM
Also, your screenshot does not demonstrate the behavior I was talking about, namely putting the tab bar below the browsing area (i.e. directly next to the Windows Start bar).
FrancisMay 31st 2009 10:33PM
"put the tab bar *below* the browsing window"
Oops, I just realised what you mean - this is even simpler and can be achieved out-of-the-box:
1) Shift + F12
2) Click on the "Toolbars" tab
3) Click the actual tab bar (or you can double-click the "Tab Bar" option)
4) Below where it says "Click any toolbar outside this window to edit its properties", next to "Placement", select "Bottom". The tab bar should instantly move below the browsing window.
5) If you are happy with the results, click OK.
LorenMay 31st 2009 10:37PM
...did you actually read *any* of my comments at all? I already said twice that I'm aware Opera does this out of the box, and this sort of customizability is why I find it to have the best GUI of the modern browsers.
FrancisMay 31st 2009 11:10PM
Yeah, I was typing my post when you posted those two posts so I didn't see them, and then I posted another to apologise but failed to click the reply button... so scroll down.
Sorry.
ShellyMay 28th 2009 5:08AM
no offense Opera but I prefer my Firefox new tab experience with the Fox + new tab king (http://www.newtabking.com) - it works like a charm to me to get to my top most used destination
--shelly
FrancisMay 31st 2009 10:35PM
lol sorry, I've made quite a fool of myself haven't I?
I'll just shut up leave now...