Opera 7 Preview Speedy, Stylish Surfing Eric Grevstad
Despite its cool-looking alpha-blended icons, Opera is not just another pretty interface. The program offers your choice of an IE-style, Taskbar-clogging single-document interface (SDI), in which each open Web page launches another instance of the browser, and a multiple-document interface (MDI) including the we-can't-believe-Microsoft-still-hasn't-copied-it option of tabbed browsing, letting you switch among Web sites on different tabs within the browser window. (Version 6 had to be restarted when changing between MDI or SDI modes, but Opera 7 lets you have both active at once.)
Even more elegant than tabbed browsing itself is the choice of opening a link on either the current tab (click), a new tab (Shift-click), or a new tab in the background (Ctrl-Shift-click). If you like to keep 10 or 20 Web sites open while you work, there's simply no better browser for you. Similarly, Opera gives you the irresistible common-sense choice of blocking all pop-up windows, opening them in the background, or only opening pop-ups that you request by clicking a link.
The optional "hotlist" or left-hand pane that IE uses for favorites (bookmarks) or your surfing history has several more uses in Opera 7, including an instant-access list of all the links on a page. The program makes it easy to rearrange icons and add or subtract toolbars, which is good, because its slew of customizable screen elements -- ranging from a conventional status bar to Google, eBay, or other searches -- can quickly hog screen space even at 1,024 by 768 resolution. If you're feeling artistic, you can dress up Opera with not only different "skins" but different color schemes for each skin.
Navigation Nirvana
Among the improvements in Opera 7 Beta 2 (over Beta 1) are a "wand" that can take care of remembering password and log-in info for future visits to secure sites and a nifty new "fast forward" button that replaces the usual "forward" toolbar icon if Opera detects a likely "next page" link, such as one for the next page of search results or forum messages.
We were disappointed that the "fast forward" button disappears if you choose a different "forward" link, such as one of the search results, and then go back to the results list. But we're hooked on Opera's alternative to the usual "back" icon or backspace key -- pressing the right button while swiping the mouse to the left, one of several simple "mouse gestures" that quickly become more instinctive and labor-saving than moving the pointer to a particular icon.
Opera 7's fast new e-mail client, dubbed M2, also rewards exploration: It deftly imports existing accounts and messages, includes a spam filter, and puts a smart spin on filtering by putting the same message into multiple categories or folders where appropriate, making it easy to see all messages from a contact. Capable newsgroup and download managers round out Opera's not-just-for-browsing credentials.
Again, Opera isn't for everyone, but the elegances and conveniences in Opera 7 -- even before the final version appears -- are a worthy reminder that Internet Explorer isn't the ultimate Internet access tool. We like IE; for that matter, we like beer, but Opera is like a swig of champagne.
