Warpy

[color=#eeeeee]It seems that there is some confusion between why Firefox offers better performance in terms of webpage rendering when Opera is less bloated suite than Firefox, so I thought we would discuss this topic here and actually get down to the facts, after all your web browser is important isn't it, I guess the next factor is security when browsing the web too..[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]While Firefox is widely known, the Opera browser may need an introduction. Opera is known for its speed and its multitude of features. It's available for a wide range of platforms; in addition to Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, Opera runs on FreeBSD, Solaris, Windows Mobile, and OS/2, among others[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Opera includes an embedded chat client and mail client, the latter of which includes support for RSS news feeds. It's not open source software, Opera has no "extensions" like those of Firefox. Despite being closed source, Opera is very customizable, via both the preferences menus and the manipulation of the plain-text configuration files.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Here is a JavaScript Speed Test for PC, Browser and CPU.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee][color=#800080]http://www.24fun.com/downloadcenter/benchjs/benchjs.html[/color][/color]

[color=#eeeeee]A frequent dig by Firefox fans at Opera is that Opera is "bloated". Usually what is meant by that is that the default user interface is more complicated relative to Firefox. In the past this was true, but the latest version of Opera is much more streamlined in that area, so I thought it worthy of a test.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]"Bloat" could also refer to higher resource requirements (memory, CPU, hard drive), given that Opera has so many more features built-in compared to Firefox. So I wanted to investigate that, too.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Browser Comparison[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Download and Storage Requirements[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Opera is a smaller download, definitely still important for the many people still on dialup. Particularly when browsers are regularly updated.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Once installed, Opera uses 9MB less space than Firefox. If all you consider is the size of your hard drive, that doesn't sound like much, however, many people install a browser onto their USB thumb drive (~128MB) or onto a mini-CD (~50MB). In those situations, every MB counts, and Opera delivers.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]For email storage, Opera requires about 15% more space than Thunderbird, presumably for the indexing used for the lightning-fast text searches.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Memory Requirements[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Opera requires a little more memory than that required by Firefox to surf the 'net. Firefox releases much more when minimised, which has resulted in some complaints that Firefox takes too long, sometimes over a minute, to "wake up" when restored. Restoration seems to be a mixed bag with a variety of results.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]CPU Requirements[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Another issue that clouds the speed issue is the fact that many web sites do not compress their data for Opera, but do for IE and Firefox, in spite of the fact that Opera is just as capable of handling it. Google, Amazon and Yahoo are three popular sites that have this issue (see also this Opera Forums thread). It's unlikely to be deliberate, more a white-list of browsers that support compression, as opposed to a black-list of browsers that don't. However, the end result is that due to the lack of compression, Opera is forced to download a lot more data compared to IE and Firefox, which naturally enough, makes things slower with certain web sites.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]User Interface[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Opera Software have significantly improved the default user interface from their previous versions. The starting state of both browsers is now comparable. In terms of display area, Firefox squeezes in a few extra pixels.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Conclusion[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]Opera does not display any evidence of "bloat" of any sort. Apart from the throughput issues (which may be just my setup), it appears to be smaller, lighter, and as fast (if not faster) in all respects.[/color]

[color=#eeeeee]I have collected information from many forums in ascertaining my findings. Anyone that didn't take advantage of the Opera Anniversary for the "free download without any ads and banners"... "shame on you"...you deserve to bent over your grandmas knee and spanked. [/color]

Please post your prefs between the two browsers indicating your reasons.

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cheese_thief

I love my Opera

It render pages faster, caches recent pages (when I press back BOOM the last page i visited is there, in FF it has to re-render the page), it handles tab-browsing just the way I like it, saves closed tabs (I know FF can do that stuff with extentions, but this stuff comes with Opera.

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Warpy

The fact no tweaks are required is also a plus...

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Sandok

Firefox cuz it's free, renders quite fast (not as fast as opera agreed but plenty fast enough), is quite compatible (as is opera).

The things about MB size and all are totally useless to me so if that's what makes Opera so great, you can tell that then I don't really care. What I want is a good simple browser with plugins, very simple interface and tabs. And ad free.

TJ-

Opera is great for many reasons. Ive been using it since since build 7564.

-Better Looks
-Faster
-More secure
-mIRC chat
-Bit torrent
-Password Protected
-Gestures
-Download Manager
-Toolbars
-Progress Bar
-Zoom Options
-Spell Checker (and other plugins)
-Different Accounts (Sessions) to save and import

and many more options that FF dont have...

Opera is free if you know how to 'unlock it'. Im sick of hearing people say i dont want it cause its not free...

Warpy

Don't we all... Opera offers very good customisations, appearence tweaks, the interface is extremly simple and the mouse gestures are extremly useful. I forgot to add security as being a crucial factor too, Firefox seem to be incurring security flaw after flaw... In fact IE maybe a better option for Firefox fans.

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Sandok

But I've never had security problems with firefox OR IE...

And opera is free if you "unlock" it... That illegal mate [zi0n]aXe

Warpy

If you have had the software installed on your PC, you have had the security flaw, simple really

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Zardon

i use all three (for testing). like them all to be honest, however opera would be the first choice.

Zardon

Sandok

Well what about real pages? Synthetic is nice but like, to load DH I have almost NO difference in between firefox and IE ....

Zardon

Its a "real world javascript" rendering test, meaning its performing hundreds of functions to stress the browser, and of course you cant see any differnence, unless you are a robot I doubt you could notice a few seconds between hundreds of rendering tests

SFOSOK

*cough* fanboy *cough*


I say wait for the new Firefox version when it officially comes out then compare it to Opera. Or wait for two versions that come out at the same time. I'm not goin to make the effort to switch if it will save me one blink of an eye.

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Zardon

ive some cough medicine for that if you want it.

Yeah I think we should wait for a new version of opera to come out as well. opera 8 is older than the new firefox beta, im sure if opera is more secure now and rendering faster with greater standards compliancy the next version should be even better

Sandok

the browser war has begun

Who will win?

Zardon

I actually find it quite amusing and I do in all aspects of hardware/software that people are so totally defensive of a program or hardware choice - I like to play with this fact sometimes and see who gets the most annoyed . I suppose if people feel the things they are using suit them they have to totally dismiss all other options to justify their choices?

The facts currently are that opera is technically the best browser for the windows platform, this is proven with regards to speed, compliancy and overall coding. That is not an opinion it is fact. ive pasted links with compliancy tests, warpy just pasted a link for a rendering test........ and we all know the security issues lately with firefox.

I do remember when opera was flaky however and the only time I used it was when I would try and get a specific HTML page to render correctly on it.

However this like anything is NOT set in stone, im quite sure a new forthcoming version of firefox or even IE will better it, but at least when that happens ill be the one using them all and finding out why rather than just basing my opinions on the fact I dont actually try anything else.

open your eyes guys !

SFOSOK

I just want the comparision to be even. When both of them release a new version in around the same month and one clearly outperforms the other than I will use the better fo the two.


No need for cough medicine, just used a plunger to take my foot out of my mouth for a second. Also maybe you could do a software review when they both come out with new ones. To show how much better one is.


My eyes are not open because I am asleep right now.

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Zardon

Heres an idea. why not try all the newest browsers, right now. You are using your computer to surf the internet NOW right? Best way to find out which one suits you the most. After all you might find the browser you are using is your favourite but at least you can speak from an educated viewpoint

I can understand people preferring firefox as it has quite a few excellent plugins btw which ive played with but hey you never know, might be a fun thing to do as well in your spare time !

SFOSOK

I am not a child good sir. I do not feel like switch from Opera to Firefox when I'm not even using the comp I will be building. Just not worth it right now for something as trivial as a web browser. Like I have said before, I do not care for added features or speed, just as long as it is faster and safer than IE. Thanks for the suggestion but I ahve already thought about it.

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Sandok

Well Zardon, I HAVE tried the latest opera... I am a firefox user with some IE from time to time and even though I ws impressed with Opera (the speed and the non buggy flashes I get with FF), I just couldn't adapt as well. It's good but the ads do annoy me and I just don't see the "extra" thing required from FF to Opera. FF/Opera over IE has tabbing for the moment but in between em, I fail to see any MAJOR reason to switch.

KOLE

OMG, I just visited Zardon's link (http://www.24fun.com/downloadcenter/...s/benchjs.html) to test how much is Opera faster than FireFox, but...



and





BTW. I use FireFox because of extensions

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[color=red]FireFox[/color] - Rediscover the Web
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Zardon

wow mature debate, everyone seemingly has some kind of inferiority complex. as for you guys asking me to write an article on the browsers what on earth is the point if all I get is "im not a child" and "*cough* fanboy *cough*.... hardly mature debate especially as some of you havent even tried them all in the first place !

and nice links KOLE seems you are famous

Warpy

Can't believe you guys are so against one type of software application and feel so strongly for another! The only other time I have seen so much tension is from a game of Monopoly.

The purpose of my post was to give people the chance to check out Opera since it's not as widely known as other browsers, that way people could see for themselves which is the most suited to their needs. For example, if you are after security and speed then Opera would be the best choice as the benchmarks have shown. No need to have a little tantrum over it...

I understand that some of you are going through the "16yr old, I hate my father syndrome", but this is a place to chill, read and compare.

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IvanV

It's a mixed bag for me. Each browser has strong and weak points. I've been using Opera for a few days and I think I'll stick with it since I like some of it's features, but it's not flawless. Here's what I think of these browsers:

Opera8:
highs: nice (useful) features and rendering speed;
lows: stopped responding two or three times, huge CPU usage (100% when I open a few tabs) on some pages (like Driverheaven) with flash adds.

FFox 1.x:
highs: decent functionality and speed, simple;
lows: very much like Opera: stability issues with the last versions and same CPU usage problems.

IE 6:
highs: much smaller CPU utilisation on sites with flash adds;
lows: more or less, everything else.

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Feed the porkers and don't touch the buttons!

Sandok

weird... Seriously I can open a 10 tabs with flash and whatever with opera and ff and no probs... Hmmmmmm maybe hyperthreading is responsible? (15-25% usage)

Anyways, all I know is that I can't wait to see what IE7 oper 9 and ff 1.5 will bring

SFOSOK

Just having some good fun.

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Warpy

Nahhh... I'd say your confussed, this thread was about the comparision between Firefox and Opera not a playground for 15yr olds. Then again I may be wrong and you could well be 12 so my appologies if this is the case.

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SFOSOK

At least I have the benefit of not being a hipocrit this time around. You are so willing to try and insult me to protect your Idea that Opera is the best no matter what. I believe your opinion is biased and the review cannot be fair unless you find the two release new versions within a month of each other. Please do not get defensive about Opera, I am not attacking it. Even if Firefox would be better I don't think you would put it in your sig like Opera, just a thought. Its just a browser guys. I cannot believe you yourself are for one type of software application. I never said I was against Opera, I just said that there is no reason for me to make the switch.

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Zardon

well until you try it I dont see any way you could justify saying there is no reason to switch, which was the point i was trying to make between your posts. After all its like saying you like burger king more than macdonalds, without sampling macdonalds !

Information has been posting on rendering states, and information has been posted with links to standards compliancy, both important issues when choosing a browser. Also we all know recent security "scares" which after all have made people move from IE to firefox..... again very important issues to consider. It is worth pointing out that none of this is "opinion" or viewpoints, but FACT. No one is saying you have to like opera, but at least try both before commenting. you might come back and say "mmm I didnt like opera because I cant get xxx extension as I would with firefox, or I dont like opera because xx site(s) dont work right". both good reasons if that was the case.

These are all reasons I prefer opera as a webbrowser which im sure if you were being more subjective would make sense, however ive heard nothing from you, except comments of "fanboy" and the fact you wont try it because you dont want to, yet you seem to be able to say it is no better (or no worse) because you wont actually install it to try. Hardly logical or helpful to anyone.

I am requesting SFOSOK until you actually try the newest browsers we are debating you refrain from posting in this thread again and let the conversation continue with factual commentary rather than pure speculation.

Thread crapping is not acceptable.

SFOSOK

I will try it if I get an hour today and give you my feedback.


The only problem I had was that the comparision was not valid because the versions of each were not released at a similar time. I'm not saying anything is better or worse.

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