Opera downloads triple after browser ballot screen debut

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9165458/Opera_downloads_triple_after_browser_ballot_screen_debut

by ilamont • 16 years ago

42 21 16 years ago

computerworld.com

SlyShy• 16 years ago

Well deservedly so. I use Chrome now, instead of Opera, but I'm using features that Opera first pioneered.

pierrefar• 16 years ago

This has nothing to do with the fact they released a new version?

And these are just downloads, not necessarily long-term users. I'd rather see the remaining users in, say, 3 months.

maggit• 16 years ago

Your "new version"-concern is addressed in the third paragraph: Assev said the swell of downloads was above and beyond the increase caused by the final release of Opera 10.5 for Windows yesterday. "We compared the downloads against previous launches, such as Opera 10.0, 10.10 and 9.5, and the tripling is above what we would normally expect with a new version launch," he said.

ryanelkins2• 16 years ago

Yes - "above and beyond" but still affected by the new release which means that the ballot didn't cause downloads to triple - to increase, but not to the extent that the headline makes it seem. They don't even try to explain what kind of increase above what they would expect they are getting. maybe its double what they expected, maybe its 5%. The fact that they don't really go into it makes me a bit suspicious.

bentruyman• 16 years ago

So they got their wish. They got the EU to enforce a browser ballot to gain popularity because their marketshare blows. It's funny how Mozilla never needed to use government to get to the 25% marketshare they have.

gnoupi• 16 years ago

They indeed only needed to be the almost only free alternative to IE for a while, on Windows. Anyway, this "using government" is as good for Firefox as for Opera, no need to be condescending.

powrtoch• 16 years ago

What difference does it make if the EU gives you the boost or if Google does? Either way it helps take the internet out of IE's hands, lets just be thankful for that.

Also, woot Opera. I really do feel it could be a dominant browser if given a chance. It has the best mouse gestures interface, built in torrent support, excellent dev tools, fastest js engine on the market, superb standards support, and a very sleek UI. Good to see it get some attention, even if it is a bit forced.

bruceboughton• 16 years ago

What makes you think it hasn't been given a chance but Chrome/Firefox/Safari have?

Aside from IE, it's a pretty open market for browsers and thus far Opera hasn't dominated.

asolove• 16 years ago

Does this really count as good news? The choice a user makes on the ballot screen is essentially random. That their downloads triple just says that they originally had very few downloads.

alexro• 16 years ago

Ins and outs Opera is a very good browser, mine favorite. I think they just have that bad karma, possibly stuck to them from the ealy days when they used to display ads on the toolbar.

d4nt• 16 years ago

As a developer I either want complete and utter domination by one browser (so I only have to test on that one) or lots of browsers with reasonable market share (making standards compliance crucial).

The current situation is almost the worst imaginable. I have to develop for the (mostly) standard compliant browsers like IE8/Firefox/Chrome and then tweak for IE6 and IE7.

I believe this is good news because it's insurance against another IE6 coming along.

Opera downloads triple after browser ballot screen debut

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