Installing Opera on Ubuntu
UPDATE: Install Opera 10 Web Browser in Ubuntu 9.10
I realize, in all of my posts, I’ve never outlined how to install the Opera browser. There are two methods you can use to install it, and both will be outlined below. Before I get into those steps though I have a few things to say about the browser.
First, I think the Opera browser is a really quality piece of software. In the “browser wars” I think it really has a lot to offer and I compare it, as far as standards compliance is concerned, at about the same level of Safari. I think, technically speaking, Opera and Safari are better browsers than Firefox. The usability and extensions of Firefox are one of the main things that makes it a good browser and so popular.
Having said that I should mention I use Firefox or Flock (based on Firefox) as my browser primarily for the great community around it and due to the great extensions. Also, most importantly, is the principle that Firefox is free software whereas Opera is not. For me, if anything, that is reason enough.
Without further ado here are the instructions for installing Opera on your Ubuntu machine.
Method #1
The easiest method is to visit the Opera website and use the download icon. When I visit that site it recognizes (or defaults) to a listing of Ubuntu compatible versions. Everything from Warty to Edgy are available. Simply select your version, download and install the package. Installing the package can be done using the Gdebi Package Installer (open with..) or using the command sudo dpkg -i opera*.deb (save to disk) after downloading.
Method #2
The second method is to download Opera from the Ubuntu repositories. This is probably the more trusted method, but many users prefer method #1 due to the fact that it can often be more up to date. As usual I will suggest that the official method, the official repositories, is what you should use. To install Opera use the following:
sudo aptitude install opera
Or, as always, you can use any GUI method such as Synaptic or Adept to install the opera package. What are some of your thoughts on Opera? Do you use it? If so, why? If not, why not?
technorati tags:opera, firefox, safari, install, dapper, edgy, hoary, warty
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I do use Opera since a long time; i know i wanted to use it because it was the first browser to use tabs.
And i’m so used to mouse gestures in opera now.
I did use firefox for a while, but had to add lots of plugins to have it behave like opera, but with less stability.
I switched to opera quite quickly.
I use opera because it`s fast ,stable and reliable ,altough I encourage people to use firefox too ,I myslelf use it only to debug java scripts
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One of the main thins wich can make me not use firefox ,is opera`s brilliant memory management ,I usually open more than 10 tabs ,well what can I say ,while firefox eats up all my memory ,opera still runs smoothly.Another thing is that opera has lots of features ,and a very flexible GUI for wich I can`t live without opera.
I tried to use it, but I had a crashing problem and I can’t live without my extensions any more. I trust them from calendar/email to all the great web dev tools)
Opera is the best browser IMO feature-wise. I use it as my promary browser. It does have two major issues though: proprietary and 9.x has major stability issues on Linux and Mac. I also wish it play nicer with the mplayer plugin, but that’s not as important.
First, just as an FYI, hype said that Opera was the first browser to use tabs. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbed_document_interface#History for more.
Here’s the third way: use Automatix (http://getautomatix.com). It has support for Opera.
Opera is great, I’m using the linux version not only for web browsing but for torrents, irc, rss feed, and as an email client. One issue is with Flash however … it occasionally freezes the browser, requiring a restart.
Any suggestions for an AMD64 system?
After 10 years being an opera user and (forced) to be a windows user, I finally got over the threshold and made a permanent switch to Linux.
And to Ubuntu. Why?
6 months ago I read from the digg that Opera had been published for Ubuntu as deb package. After installing Linux and making a daring Opera test install from the snapshots, I realized that the beta builds worked flawlesly. This was enough to convince me that I should do the switch.
During these 10 opera years it has grown to be pretty darn core application for me. Too bad it isn’t open source (that’s the only major draw back of it) but what I’ve noticed during this time period, the browser is like tailored for my needs and the development group know their job.
Although opera is rich in features, it doesn’t have all I need: that is built in support for mail encryption (OpenPGP).
So… one conclusion would be it was opera that set things on roll: turned me into Linux user and also got me to subscribe this blog
Oh, and here’s some link love for other Opera users: How to backup your opera profile and/or mail using this simple bash script: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=163172&t=1161183247&page=1#comment1785113
In answer to Marius’ query about installing Opera on a 64 bit system’
$ sudo dpkg -i –force-architecture opera.deb
This is not recommended but it has worked twice for me.
I have used Opera since version 4, must be close to 8 years. Liked it for tabbed browsing, keyboard shortcuts, built in e-mail client, configurability, ability to enlarge text by pressing + button, easy skinning and theming, pop-up blocking, spam filtering and more.
I admit it doesn’t have the add-ons of Firefox, but opera suits me.
Pete
Just a note;
To get Flash working in opera I found the easiest ways was to just copy over the install files from the tar to the plugin dirrectory.
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Just a little information regarding tabs;
Opera was the first browser to use a full multiple document interface.
Not quite the same thing as tabs allthough it certainly overlaps.
(basicaly, by adding buttons to Operas MDI interface, they got a tab system :p)
I use Opera, mainly because I love the way it handles tabs/pages. Everything is in one window! I love that.
I also love mouse gestures, M2 mail system, undo close tab, block content…
I’ve used ie6 ie7 firefox 1/2 opera old versions….
for now i’m using opera simply because of an easier gui…speed dial is helping alot…bookmarks sucks though…
i’ve yet to intall ubuntu 7 hopefully i’ll get opera running on it…
The title of the article includes “Gutsy,” but neither method works for Gutsy (yet). The download page at opera.com has no radio button for Gutsy, and a quick check in synaptic returns no packages named “opera”.
Zack, you can get a .deb for gutsy if you enable this repository:
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu gutsy partner
I installed it, but I can’t get it to connect to the internet.
I have the partners link in my sources.list, but can’t find opera in aptitude.
I downloaded the opera deb from the Opera download site, then used
sudo dpkg -i –force-architecture
But, when I try to run it, I get this message:
$ opera
exec: 264: /usr/lib/opera/9.24-20071015.6/opera: not found
Are there some libraries that I need to install? I notice, in aptitude, that there are some ia32-libs* packages. Do I need one of these? Which one?
GREAT!!!
Hi,
i’ve tried to install OPERA as you mentioned, but all i get is a Opera-Icon in the Application/Internet/ Menu – if i klick that OPERA-Icon. nothing happens.. hm.
what have i done wrong or what can i do in other ways?
THX in advance -Jackson
I like the opera due to
1. The tab bar at the top and
2. Quick dial.
I like it more, if the users having the options to customize where the address bar/tab located in the browser.
I very much liked to have the address bar at the bottom of the browser. Is it possible to have a customize options as far as browser is concerned.
That was very useful.
Thanks a lot.
I personally use Opera as I truly believe that it is a leader in terms of web standards and web functionality. all the built-in features that are already there without the need to search for and install dodgy 3rd-party add-ons are nice. I use most (if not all) of the built-in functions including Mail, RSS, BitTorrent and Opera Link Bookmarks Synchroniser. Opera has truly overtaken firefox in terms of trailblazing. it was the first browser to have built-in mail, built-in BitTorrent and built-in RSS functions. the caching and memory management are also very advanced. the security is perhaps superior to Firefox, but the only negative thing is that it is not free software, meaning the test base is not able to access the code. however, the test base is very large and bugs do get fixed very quickly. generally Opera users are the most passionate web users out there. I also greatly appreciate the products Opera Mini and Opera Mobile and how compatible and flexible they are, very similar to the Linux kernel, as they can be run from mobile phones to TV’s to the Wii to the DSi to anything.
Very useful, thanx a lot!!
I’ve been using opera for 10 years with no problems! Smooth as always. OPERA FORREEEVEEERRRRRR!!! I hate IE. HUAHH!!!
I cont able to download opera from . sudo aptitude install opera what to do ? how to run
Installing opera 10.10.4742 changed DirectX such that videoredo (in wine) can no longer display video (it also uses DirectX).