Firefox vs Opera - Why did Opera die?

Question

I'm currently using Firefox, a brilliant browser, but am curious about comments regarding Opera as being the best. Opera has been here for several years. Why exactly is Opera's marketshare so much lower than Firefox? What did FF do right and Opera do wrong?

Answer 1

Mozilla dot org's aggressive campaign(especially the 'spread firefox' one) with respect to its standalone component 'Firefox' ensured that the browser easily won over Opera and other browsers (except the ubiquitous IE). Who/What do you think is behind all the Get firefox buttons we see on tech sites? Its the spread firefox portal! For instance check out this link http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/buttons.html .The webpage showcases different types and sizes of the get firefox buttons and encourages its fans to put these on their websites.



Mozilla's campaigning strategies gave the browser a major thrust . How/when it all started? Thru' the spread firefox campaign in September 2004 .Here's the portal's link: http://www.spreadfirefox.com/ . Also Computer magazines the world over jumped on the bandwagon as if it was godsend . And people who wanted a change from IE (reasons vary from wanting a different look to a 'faster' browser or a safer one), simply hooked onto what seemed to be the most likely alternative.



In fact, it's been pretty strategic and wonderfully organized for mozilla.org all the way through right from when Mozilla Dot Org came into existence in 1998 when netscape announced that it'd open its source code for its communicator suite (which included navigator). And to rope in more people in its open source fold to develop netscape's 'new browser' ,mozilla.org was formed.And as the organization expanded it launched the mozilla suite (eg. seamonkey) and further branched into standalone components which now we know as mozilla firefox or mozilla thunderbird and so on.



As far as Opera goes, i don't know whether you know this or not. If not, you'll find it hard to believe that Opera desktop browser until version 5 was NOT free. It was in the year 2000 that Opera went free BUT the browser was not without ads. If you didn't want the ads you had to pay for it. Only after 2005 did Opera desktop browser became totally free without the ads !



Also the general public just wants to browse their sites and get done with it. They don't want to be able to tweak or customize the settings. They would be in for a surprise when they switched from IE to Opera. It may have been overwhelming for them (Buttons like rewind , fast forward , dual functioning stop and refresh buttons, et al.) ..and they switched back to IE, then tried Firefox, and got stuck with it.



Another major reason is that Opera is poorer than firefox when it comes to website compatibility. If general public aren't able to view their favourite webpages/site layouts properly, why would they take the pains to stick to Opera notwithstanding its extensive customizations and unique innovations?



Also it seems that people mostly associate the Opera browser more with its mini version (for cellphones) than the desktop one! Just the other day a friend and i were having a talk and we got to talking about web browsers for a bit. It started with website/forum user passwords ... i said i loved the wand in Opera, it manages 'em with ease. He was like, 'Firefox is the best, Opera is only good for cellphones' . Now my friend has never used the Opera desktop browser, so saying Firefox is the best even without trying Opera is just being prejudiced, isn't it?



Finally, for the people who retort the cliche..'Firefox safer,better,faster' just like on one of the Get firefox buttons, here's an eye opener:

Firefox Myths: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/FirefoxMyths.html



I personally, have 'played' enough with both the browsers to know that I prefer Opera than Firefox. I've tweaked both of 'em extensively...and both are awesome. But Opera does the job better for me.

Answer 2

relies upon, Google Chrome has the quickest internet. internet Explorer, is a no-no, it quite is been hacked a techniques too many circumstances. Opera is amazingly stable nevertheless. Firefox is internet explorer no.2. i assume I ought to easily practice attributes: GC= speedy internet, incognito to confirm snoops will not be able to scouse borrow records. Safari= HD, much less complicated for historic previous, you could enable inner maximum surfing, like Chrome, however the folk will not be able to be conscious the distinction from PB, yet with incognito, on the top-left corner it exhibits a detective guy. Firefox= extra advantageous buttons to circulate back, yet different from that, it quite is internet Explorer No.2 internet Explorer= Uhhh, not something particular.... Opera= comfortable looks, and ordinary to delete historic previous. you ought to apply it to iPod's and iPhones, it appears that evidently actually effective. Over all, i assume it is going with what your making use of. Opera, and Google Chrome are meant for workstation's and laptops, yet Safari is the suitable for the Mac's and stuff. Your taking this from a guy who used em all.

Answer 3

Probably just the fact that Firefox is newer and people would prefer to use something more modern

Y'see, I never even heard of Opera, I have firefox

Answer 4

Nothing. Less people just know about Opera. Opera was one of the first web browsers that featured tabing. Opear also has widgets and amazing skins. Opera did not die. I still use opera and love it.