Opera Software has released the final version of its Opera 5.0 Web browser for the Mac. Well, at least for Mac OS Mac 7.5.3 through 9.2. A Mac OS X version is in the works. Both Opera 5.0 and the Mac OS X beta are available from the Opera Web site.
Designed to be fast and customizable, the browser includes features such as a cookie manager, a sophisticated hotlist, multiple download monitor and keychain support. Opera has gained the position as the third largest browser in the market, according to Dean Kakridas, Opera Software’s VP of Desktop Products. And it’s the “fastest full-featured browser” on the market today, he added.
Some of the browser’s highlighted features are: extensive keyboard short cuts, instant toggling of image and document settings (images can be turned on/off with a key press for faster browsing); and the ability to surf the Internet with multiple windows open simultaneously. When closing Opera, you can choose whether or not to save the open windows for your next surfing session. Users of the browser can zoom in on a page up to a 1000 percent.
Opera’s keychain support lets you store realm passwords and forms passwords in the Apple Keychain and retrieve them with a keyboard command. There’s a drag proxy for icon for bookmarking; you can drag it to other applications, or drag link to transfer window for download. The browser also supports the Internet Control Panel. It reads your home page and helper applications from Internet Control panel to simplify the storing of all information in one place.
In the search feature, you can migrate between a variety of popular search engines, and search for terms, domain names, music, MP3s, images, video, audio, books or company information. Plus, Kakridas said that Opera continues its commitment to Internet standards. Opera 5.0 for Mac supports the following technologies: 128-bit encryption, TLS 1.0, SSL 2 and 3, CSS1 and partial CSS2, XML, HTML 4.01, HTTP 1.1, ECMAScript, JavaScript 1.3, WAP/ WML and partial support for DOM.
Opera 5.0 for Mac is available for free in an ad-sponsored version. If you download it and want to remove the banner ad, you can register it for US$39.
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