Feature rich and fast alternative to IE. Review on Opera

I had been using Internet Explorer for quite some time now but somehow never found it satisfactory enough. It did not have in-built pop-up blocking (although the version 6.0 which comes with Windows XP SP2 does have it!), no tabbed browsing, no native email client and was a bit unstable. Then I switched to myIE2 web browser which was much of the same (or worse).

Opera (I'm currently using Version 7.6 Preview 2) is a very fast browser and can render pages with almost twice the speed of Internet Explorer.Its easy to install with minimal effort required. It has ''M2'', its native Email client which is (for me atleast) a refreshing change from Outlook Express, and has an uncluttered, highly organised interface. It supports POP3 and IMAP and I had no trouble setting up GMAIL to work with it.

Opera itself is almost half the size of most browsers available but has twice their features!

Allows to save the current state and resume the next time (Somewhat like the HIBERNATE feature in Windows 2000 and up)

Own Password manager for easy password storage and retrieval

Pop-Up blocking with user defined options (4)

Chat Client-Connects to IRC Servers and can be used to send files also

Large selection of Panels available-Contacts,Bookmarks,History,Links,Transfers,Windows,Search,Notes,Info Panels

Can resume an interrupted download with its own Download Client integrated with it as Transfers Panel

Contents in Webpages (Text) can be stored as notes for later use

Integrates search toolbar-can search Google,Amazon,Ebay,Downloads.com,Google Groups etc.

Zoom function for Web Pages available

Shift+F11 lets you view the page in Small Screen rendering (as it will be seen in Handhelds running Opera)

Can directly access WAP/WML content

Movements of the mouse (Mouse Gestures) can be used to perform various functions

and much much more...

It is quite evident that Opera in itself is a complete internet suite which has a remarkably high level of efficiency.

But, versions earlier than the 7.6 do NOT support Gmail.

ChrysatusAuratus, THANKS FOR THE INFO THAT I HAD MISSED OUT!