3228 Opera released the first update to the latest version 9.5 of its browser on Thursday, and I've been checking it out over the long weekend. Opera 9.5, named "Kestrel", carries on the Opera hawk names tradition. Previous versions of Opera 9.x have been dubbed "Merlin." The next version of Opera, development of which has just commenced, is code-named "Peregrine," another falcon.

Version 9.51 fixes an unspecified code execution flaw and includes the customary performance tweaks one would expect in a 0.1 update to version 9.50, the major upgrade Opera released last month. Version 9.51 addresses problems with search engines when upgrading from Opera 9.2x, a stability issue involving printing, JavaScript issues and various performance tweaks as detailed in Opera's release notes (see changelog lists below)

I've been using Opera 9.5 alpha and beta releases since last September, but Opera did save the major interface revamp for the recent 9.50 final release, and it gives Opera a fresh, up-to-date look, more "Mac-like" in appearance with improved conformity to Apple Human Interface Guidelines. I like the new red/green Stop and Reload page buttons. Reportedly, Opera's boss has described the browser's new look a" inspired by high-end audio equipment and Scandinavian design."

Opera 9.5 has a new and faster version of Opera's proprietary Presto browser engine. This adds support for the newest cutting-edge Web standards and the upcoming Web developer. With its re-written core code, Opera 9.5 contains more than a year's worth of speed, standards and performance improvements. It's very fast, although so are Firefox 3 and the latest Safari builds. I haven't done any formal bakeoffs, but I have to say that Firefox 3 does seem to have a distinct speed advantage on some sites, such as the Applelinks news posting CGI. However, for most pages there's not much in the difference, and these browsers are all very speedy.

Opera 9.5 is notably quicker to start up, which is especially welcome as that had been one of Opera's weaker points. Opera claims that version 9.5 is more than 2x faster than Opera 9.2 in rendering JavaScript and HTML, and faster handling third party plug-ins.

Opera's already excellent Download Manager is a carry-over from version 9.2, but deserves mention since it's IMHO so much better than any other browser's handling of downloads, with excellent progress monitoring and full control, including resumable downloads after a pause or shutdown, and no-hassle multiple downloads

Operas Zoom controls are among the best if not THE best, with a handy pull-down menu and button in the lower right corner to resize Web pages. If the page is too wide for your screen, simply hit Fit to Width and Opera will resize the Web page so you avoid horizontal scrolling. I also like Opera's implementation of the sidebar, which stays out of your way until bidden to appear with a button-click, and hiding again efficiently.

Opera has a built-in email client, which has been tweaked for better speed and improved responsiveness in version 9.5, plus a a new mail backend and new IMAP support. Opera's email client now runs in a separate thread, so it won't slow down simultaneous web browsing.

Other new features in version 9.5 include AppleScript support, improved font handling, improved image quality when zooming, respect for the Full Keyboard Access setting in Mac OS X System Preferences, full history search, improved site compatibility, access for everyone, improved platform integration, preview of bookmark and speed dial synchronization, a rewritten ECMAscript engine, some HTML 5 support, and improved IMAP reliability in the email client module.

The browser's Opera Link feature syncs your bookmarks and Opera's unique Speed Dial between your computers and mobile phone. Log in with your Opera username, and your data will always be accessible.

Security is enhanced as well. In Opera 9.5, the Fraud Protection feature is enabled by default, detecting and warning you about fraudulent Web sites automatically. Support for Extended Validation certificates (EV) provides added assurance and trust for secure Web sites.

New in version 9.51:

Opera 9.51 is a recommended security and stability upgrade.

Changes since Opera 9.5:

User Interface
• Fine-tuned the new Opera skin.
• Improved drag/drop of tabs.
• Fixed problems with search engines when upgrading from Opera 9.2x.
• Fixed a stability issue when printing or when in print preview.
• Added an option to toggle mouse flips in opera:config (User Prefs - Enable Mouse Flips).
• Textarea inputs now clear when no-cache is set.
• Saving of images is no longer recorded in transfers.

Mail/News
• Feeds now show the first time when you subscribe.
• Corrected a stability issue that could occur when clicking the drop-down to switch views.
• Adjusted thread expanding in Mail when receiving new messages.
• Corrected a problem where multiple views (access points) show for the same account.

Display and Scripting
• Corrected a stability issue with User JS.
• Style sheets now load when navigating in history.
•window.close() now functions after invoking a context menu and when closing Opera Dragonfly.

Security:
• Fixed an issue where functions could reveal data from random places in memory, as reported by Philip Taylor. See our advisory.
• Fixed an issue that could be used to execute arbitrary code, as reported by Billy Rios. Details will be disclosed at a later date.
• Security status is now correctly set when navigating from HTTP to HTTPS.
• Corrected an issue related to OCSP and CRLs that would lower security.
• Note: This will take effect with the weekly update, or when checking manually for an update (Help > Check for Updates).

Miscellaneous
• Corrected a stability issue with Yahoo! Mail.
• TinyMCE 2.1.x editor now works properly.
• Printing of chat items has been improved.
• Reconnection of the IRC client has been adjusted and improved.
• Menus on deviantart.com now work properly.
• Eliminated unwanted line breaks in rich text editors.
• Windows-specific changes
• Fixed a resource leak in the transfer window that could cause visual paint problems and other related problems.
• Command line parameters must now be specified before any URLs on the ommand line.

System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

System support:
PPC/Intel

Opera is freeware

For more information and to download, visit:
http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/

http://www.opera.com/download/

General information about Opera:
http://www.opera.com

Charles W. Moore

Tags: Hot Topics ï Reviews ï Internet Reviews ï

Login † or † Register † †