A couple of major events went almost completely unnoticed by the tech press in March, but I sure didn't miss them, and they've changed the way I view the Web and my place in the Internet ecosystem.
What were these two events that have got me using a different browser and entertaining an offer to move to Oslo?
The first, and most important to me, was the redesign of the Opera Widget interface available in the latest weekly builds. Until just about 10 days ago, it was simply too difficult to access my ROT13 encoder/decoder widget. Now, as long as Opera is running, with the convenient new "Widget Thumb" I can easily encode/decode ROT13 phrases by simply typing the phrase into the widget textarea. It's just this kind of time-saving UI improvements that demonstrate Opera's commitment to improving the lives of those "Regular People" I talk about so much.
The second earthshaking event that will have serious consequences well beyond the browser space was demonstrated in the #8265 weekly build. Starting with that build, which must have tens of millions of users already, Opera passes the Acid2 test. What does this mean for browser users, and what does it mean for the future of humankind? Well, up until Opera's #8264 weekly build, the world-renowned smiling face icon looked as if it had been shot in the head and lay drowning in a pool of blood. Finally, thanks to the hard work of the engineering team at Opera Software, ASA (I think they added that final "Asa" bit as as an enticement along with the job offer they recently extended to me) -- thanks to the hard work of the Opera engineers, hundreds of millions of web users will be able to stare at a bright yellow, and clearly not dead, smiling face icon again. But it won't stop there. That smile is so infectious that we'll no doubt see it spreading off-line and it could in fact be the first concrete steps toward world peace.
So how did the tech press miss all of this? I'm not sure. But I didn't, and I'm inspired. I can't tell you how good it feels to see that real innovation has returned to the web and to know that a browser company is finally willing to put its resources to work for the public good like this.
Opera Software, about that job, my answer to you is an emphatic "Yes!"
Posted by: hakubo | April 1, 2006 11:29 AM
Finally, a post on Opera we can take seriously.
Hope you'll continue to use Firefox now and again though, so you'll keep appreciating the polish and integration of all of Opera's features and such.
Posted by: Fabian | April 1, 2006 11:44 AM
Asa, stop ripping on Opera! They do good work too, and they don't have to target your mom, too -- after all, it is the more technically advanced crowd who is more apt to download an alternative browser. I use Firefox, but hold Opera in high esteem!
Posted by: Alan | April 1, 2006 12:23 PM
Asa,
It's sad to see you go, but at the same time I'm happy for you. Change is good.
:P
/me off to see smiley face drowning in blood....
Posted by: Step | April 1, 2006 12:35 PM
Am I the only one that thinks thats an april fools joke?!
Mark
Posted by: Mark | April 1, 2006 12:44 PM
You mean the smiley face isn't suppose to look like that? All this time I thought it was some form of art nouveau to express the angst brought on by the feeling of disconnectedness of the Internet generation(s).
Posted by: Robert Strong | April 1, 2006 12:48 PM
April fools, always fun.
Posted by: Trevor | April 1, 2006 1:24 PM
I know everyone at Mozilla will miss you, but I'm sure the Opera community will welcome you with open arms. How long before you move this blog over to my.opera.com?
:-D
Posted by: Kelson | April 1, 2006 1:42 PM
This is the only April Fool's joke that I fell for this year.
Congrats Asa -- good joke.
Posted by: SamD | April 1, 2006 2:01 PM
OMG, I had to scroll to the top of the post in my aggregator to notice the publication date. You got me :)
Posted by: Marco | April 1, 2006 2:16 PM
never believe anything that you read on April 1st. its better to not believe something that turns out to be tru than it is to be taken for a ride. besides, who would possibly want to leave the US? granted, california is the worst state in the union, but its far better than any other country on earth. who would actually believe that asa was leaving to go join opera? come on, guys. go have a coke and youll think more clearly.
Posted by: Grayson Mixon | April 1, 2006 2:27 PM
Well i almost feel for this one.
I think the reason that i almost did was the fact i would LOVE to live in Oslo. If someone gave me a job offer to wrok in Oslo, i would take it in a second.
Posted by: cameron | April 1, 2006 2:53 PM
Cameron-
Sure, you can live there. IF you don't mind it's the most expensive city in the world. I have no problems with the Norwegians, since they are nice folk in general. Maybe a telecommute from Sweden would be good enough. :)
Posted by: frankf | April 1, 2006 3:43 PM
I really fell for this joke. Wow. Good work Asa!
Posted by: David Tenser | April 1, 2006 4:33 PM
Asa you better be joking!
Posted by: Kurt | April 1, 2006 6:11 PM
1.2.3.4... I declare a flame war!
Awesome Asa. I love that you picked Opera, since everyone insists you hate them!
Posted by: Robert Accettura | April 1, 2006 7:52 PM
Whew! That was a close one ... I had a vision of Opera stripping out out all its features in the future and relying on 3rd party folks to make sure their stuff integrates okay with other 3rd party folks' stuff and the core browser. Wait that wasn't just a vision ... it was a nightmare!
Posted by: treego | April 1, 2006 8:59 PM
Hmm. Firefox rocks? First time I am commenting on your blog. The world has diverse people and diverse opinions. Each one is entitled to their own. However, if you feel that Opera sucks, well so be it. Incidentally, Firefox is slowly becoming a clone of Opera. Much like a twin, except for the badge of "Open Source".
Even though, I am all for Open Source (Stallman is nearly a demi God), I believe that Firefox users can well stop harassing Opera for whatever you can conjure up.
This may not change and you are entitled to your opinion. Some day, the light shall dawn on the Firefox users and they might as well see something revolutionary on their desktops.
Posted by: Abhitux | April 1, 2006 9:16 PM
Yes, open arms. Or maybe not...
Posted by: Kelson | April 1, 2006 11:08 PM
It's nice to make fun of Microsoft Word when you have developed a Notepad* yourself, really. Kinda naive and defenseless.
I'm happy it's an april fools joke, because I don't want such a bastard working in Opera Software ASA.
____
* With extensions support
Posted by: Ilya Birman | April 1, 2006 11:44 PM
Now Ilya made my 2nd of April. :)
Posted by: Dao | April 2, 2006 1:34 AM
To Cameron and Frankf:
See http://www.opera.com/company/jobs/
There are openings in Oslo, Gothenburg, Linköping, and other places with a warmer climate.
Posted by: Rijk | April 2, 2006 2:53 AM
Did not come round here until April 2....this wishfull thinking not showing in Europe until then....fortunately, for Opera, it's indeed just a 4.1.2006 publication ;>)....widgets the thing to let extensions go bleak....
Posted by: sekerob | April 2, 2006 7:21 AM
Wow, some people seriously can't take a joke. Lighten up people, you'll live longer :-)
Posted by: Ryan VanderMeulen | April 2, 2006 9:41 AM
Asa, what a cruel joke, I think you should be forced to learn Norwegian.
Posted by: Martijn | April 2, 2006 4:56 PM
Asa, I don't know what Opera did or tell but I think you should try to create coopetition with them instead of against them.
Posted by: jeanph01 | April 2, 2006 5:17 PM
Good one, Asa. You fooled me until I read some comments and remembered what day it was.
Posted by: wg | April 2, 2006 5:53 PM
A nice one. :)