Opera 7.11

I started using Opera, although I still use IE most of the time. It has only three features that I like: the Resume feature, Download manager and the Mouse Gestures.

The Resume feature is easily the number one reason for using Opera. It allows you to resume from where you left off if you choose the option before closing the browser or if the browser/Windows crashed. Although this can easily be done with IE by going to History, I guess Opera is more user-friendly in this area by prompting you whether you want to start from the previous session when you open the browser.

The downloading system is nicer than IE’s, although the fact that it forces you to download video files before watching, even though Windows Media Player can easily play those files while downloading, leaves something to be desired.

The Mouse Gesture reminds me of the game Black & White where you can move your mouse a specific way to cast a spell. ^_^ I like just having to hold down right mouse button and move my mouse left to activate “Back”, although the Backspace shortcut for IE isn’t that troublesome either.

I guess Opera is a sufficently good enough browser, but don’t bother getting it unless you really really hate Microsoft. (AND Opera has this annoying banner which takes up about half of your toolbar space and won’t go away unless you pay for the commercial version)

Final Verdict:
7/10
Probably 9/10 if they do away with the banner…