Opera Web Browser
Opera is a Chromium-based multi-platform web browser that contains a free VPN, Ad Blocker, integrated messengers and private mode help you browse securely and smoothly.
Opera is a fast, secure, and user-friendly web browser. It includes a built-in ad blocker, Video pop-out, and free VPN.
How to Install Opera:
Method 1:
You can go to the Opera website and click the Download button to download the installation file for your operating system.
Method 1:
You can go to the Opera website and click the Download button to download the installation file for your operating system.
Once you have downloaded it, locate the file and then double-click on it to open the package installer. (Install GDebi in Ubuntu based distributions: sudo apt install gdebi)
The file should open in your Package Installer. Click the Install Package button to start the installation process.
Enter your password when the Authentication dialog box appears. Then click the Authenticate button.
Do not shut the Package Installer until you see the two buttons Reinstall Package and Remove Package buttons.
Method 2:
You can also install it via the snapcraft store.
Goto the Opera section in the snapcraft store and click the Install button.
You can also install it via the snapcraft store.
Goto the Opera section in the snapcraft store and click the Install button.
How to Uninstall Opera:
1. Open the Terminal (Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + T)
2. Type the following: sudo apt remove opera-stable
1. Open the Terminal (Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + T)
2. Type the following: sudo apt remove opera-stable
Now remove the Opera repository added during installation. Open Software & Updates and select the Other Software tab. Locate the Opera Browser link and select it and then click the Remove button. Then click the Close button and then reload to refresh your PPA's.
Updates
Since the installation adds an entry to the repository list, you will get updates when they become available. I ran the Software Updater this morning and received a newer version of Opera.
Since the installation adds an entry to the repository list, you will get updates when they become available. I ran the Software Updater this morning and received a newer version of Opera.
Menu
You can access commands and features in the menu by clicking the red O Menu in the upper left corner.
You can access commands and features in the menu by clicking the red O Menu in the upper left corner.
Settings
To access your Settings click on the Menu icon and then on Settings or press the Alt+P keys on your keyboard. You'll notice a section called Privacy protection that allows you to enable the built-in ad blocker and tracker blocker.
To access your Settings click on the Menu icon and then on Settings or press the Alt+P keys on your keyboard. You'll notice a section called Privacy protection that allows you to enable the built-in ad blocker and tracker blocker.
Next you have a Wallpapers section that allows you to enable and select a wallpaper to add to the browser's background.
Next, you have the Privacy and security section that allows you to clear your browser's data and enable/disable features to improve the security of the browser.
Next, you have the Appearance section that allows you to enable the dark theme, show bookmarks bar, change font size, customize your fonts and page zoom, and enable an extra Tab feature.
Next, you have the Sidebar feature that allows you to manage your sidebar.
If you click the small right arrow to the right of Manage sidebar it will allow you to customize your sidebar. You can enable/disable the Show sidebar feature and Enable notifications badges for messengers. You can even Customize the elements in sidebar by checking the options you want displayed. At the time of creating this webpage there were sixteen elements.
Next, is the Synchronization feature that allows you to sign in your Opera account to synchronize your browser's. You can import your bookmarks and browser's settings.
Next, is the Search engine feature that allows you change search engine used in your address bar. You also have the options to manage your search engines.
Next, is the Default browser section. You can click the Make default button to make Opera your default browser.
Next, is the On startup section that allows you to control what you see when you open the Opera browser.
The features now are under the Advanced section. The first advanced feature is the Autofill feature. This section allows you to save your passwords for certain websites, payment methods for online stores, and your mailing address.
Next, section is the WebRTC section. "WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a technology which enables Web applications and sites to capture and optionally stream audio and/or video media, as well as to exchange arbitrary data between browsers without requiring an intermediary."
Next, is the VPN (Virtual Private Network) section. This section allows you to enable the built-in VPN. You can enable/disable the option to Bypass VPN for default search engines and Connect to VPN when starting browser.
You will notice a VPN icon to the left in your address bar.
You can click on the VPN icon and enable the VPN. Opera will randomally select an Optimal location for you. However, you can click the drop-down arrow and select a particular location.
As you can see from www.whatismyipaddress.com that my IP address is from Taipei City, Taiwan. I live in the United States and my IP address with the VPN turned on shows that I'm in another part of the world.
If you click the drop-down arrow you can change your location to the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Next, is the Battery saver section. The Battery saver feature will help you extend your laptop battery life when unplugged. This feature prioritizes your browser’s activities - reduces activity in background tabs, tweaks your video-playback parameters, reschedules JavaScript timers, pauses plug-ins and stops animations.
Next, is the Player section. This feature allows you to listen to all your music and podcasts easily within your browser.
Next, is the My Flow section. "My Flow is the encrypted space shared between Opera Touch and your Opera computer browser where you can send files, links, YouTube videos, photos and personal notes, and access them at any time from your connected phone or computer. It’s a great way to keep photos, articles, recipes, travel ideas and links with you at all times." You can connect your computer and your smartphone with My Flow.
Next, is the Crypto Wallet section. Opera is integrated with native Crypto Wallet. It enables you to make transactions with cryptocurrencies and manage their tokens and collectibles.
Next, is the Search pop-up section. The search pop-up tool is Opera’s utility belt that allows you to search or copy the text you highlight on a web page. When you highlight text on a web page, a pop-up will appear above the highlighted text, including the options Search and Copy. If a currency, unit, or time zone is highlighted, the converted value will appear in the pop-up. Select Search to query your default search engine with the highlighted text.
Next, is the Video pop out section. This feature allows videos to be in their own floating window that is adjustable and can be moved on your screen. Video pop-out lets you watch online videos on top of other windows so you can continue browsing or working at the same time.
Next, is the Personal news section. This section collects the news that you prefer and presents it to you in a convenient location.
Next, is the Start page section. This feature allows you to customize the look of your start page.
Next, is the User Interface section. This section allows you to customize the way the browser interacts and behaves.
Next, is the Languages section. This section allows you to set the default language and enable the spell check feature. You can also customize the spell check.
Next, is the Downloads section. Here you can set the location of the files you download from the Internet. You can turn on or enable the feature that will ask you where to save your file that you will download.
Next, is the Accessibility section. In this section you can turn on captions for videos (if they are available). You can also install addons to enhance the accessiblity of the Opera browser.
Next, is the System section. In this section you can enable/disable hardware acceleration, use DNS-over-HTTPS instead of the system's DNS settings, and open your computer's proxy settings. If you have an older computer or problem playing videos, then I recommend that you disable or turn off hardware acceleration.
Next, is the Shortcuts section. This section allows you to configure the brower's shortcuts to meet your needs.
Fianally, we have the Reset settings section. Here you can restore your settings back to their riginal defaults.
Opera Addons
You can install aadon-ons or extension from the Opera Addons site. Here's some recommended extensions:
You can click the Extensions icon in the upper right corner to view the installed add-ons or extensions. Click on each push pin icon you want to see added to your address bar. You can click on Manage extensions to modify or remove any of the installed extensions.
You can install aadon-ons or extension from the Opera Addons site. Here's some recommended extensions:
- uBlock Origin or AdGuard AdBlocker
- Popup Blocker (strict)
- Privacy Badger or DuckDuckGo for Opera
- Avast Online Security or WOT Web Of Trust
- HTTPS Everywhere
- Install Chrome Extensions
You can click the Extensions icon in the upper right corner to view the installed add-ons or extensions. Click on each push pin icon you want to see added to your address bar. You can click on Manage extensions to modify or remove any of the installed extensions.
Videos from YouTube are crystal clear.
Speed Dial
By default, Speed Dial, is the first page seen whn launching the browser. This feature allows you to easily connect to your most visited sites. You can easily change the predefined sites by hovering your mouse pointer over the right corner of one of the icons. It will display three horizontal dots and a drop-down menu. You can open the link to the icon in a variety of different ways, you can edit the site, and/or move it to trash bin.
By default, Speed Dial, is the first page seen whn launching the browser. This feature allows you to easily connect to your most visited sites. You can easily change the predefined sites by hovering your mouse pointer over the right corner of one of the icons. It will display three horizontal dots and a drop-down menu. You can open the link to the icon in a variety of different ways, you can edit the site, and/or move it to trash bin.
If you click the Edit command in the drop-down box it will create a small dialog box to allow you to select a new website and title name.
You can change each Speed Dial to meet your surfing needs.
Easy Setup
The Easy Setup panel is your quick access to manage Opera’s most prominent features. Easy Setup is found in the top-right corner of the start page.
The Easy Setup panel is your quick access to manage Opera’s most prominent features. Easy Setup is found in the top-right corner of the start page.
Inside the panel, you can change themes and wallpapers, pin the sidebar, show the bookmarks bar, turn ad blocker on or off, change download locations, and clear browsing data. Under Default browser in the Easy Setup window, click the Make Opera default browser button. This button is not visible if Opera is already your default browser. At the bottom of Easy Setup, you will find a link to the full settings page.
Sidebar
The Sidebar setup panel lets you edit or remove elements on your sidebar, like Workspaces, Messengers, History, or your extensions. You can click the three dots at the bottom of the Sidebar to open the Sidebar Setup. The Sidebar Setup allows you to customize the Sidebar.
The Sidebar setup panel lets you edit or remove elements on your sidebar, like Workspaces, Messengers, History, or your extensions. You can click the three dots at the bottom of the Sidebar to open the Sidebar Setup. The Sidebar Setup allows you to customize the Sidebar.
You can leave the Sidebar visable for quick access or you can go into Easy Setup and disable Show sidebar.
Without the Sidebar visable gives you more surfing real estate.
Opera is a great web browser for those looking for a browser with a lot of features and customization.
Dec 2, 2020