Opera Software has started a Global Donations Program, which donates registered versions of the Opera Web browser for free to organizations for the physically challenged, elementary schools, as well as Web designer schools and programs. Organizations can apply for free registered versions of Opera online.
Opera for the traditional Mac operating system 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. However, there is a special 30-day, banner-free trial period. A Mac OS X version is in beta testing.
Opera’s Global Donations Program ensures that the Internet catalyzes technological innovation and advancement, according to Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera Software. By providing Opera free of charge, the program also aims to help ensure that the Internet remains a place that fits more than just one browser, by allowing the people who design Web pages to also test with Opera for free, he added.
“Part of Opera’s promise to the Internet community has been to provide unlimited accessibility to everyone, no matter their physical challenges,” Tetzcher said. “Opera always strives to adhere to the demands of this group and has become a better overall product because of its ease of use. By now offering the physically challenged free registered versions, Opera is able to give something back for the invaluable feedback it has received over the years.”