I'm a Browser.

August 7, 2011 · by .ed

At Opera, we scream it from the rooftop every morning, and this will be the decade it happens: the Browser as an operating system, and it makes sense, too!

15 years ago this idea was ludicrous even to those that were working toward it, but the desire to make it work was there.
10 years ago a foundation was laid with buzzwords that were *so web 2.0* but old ways threatened progress.
5 years ago app stores seemed to be a different alternative.
Today, XKCD clears up the confusion in a way most of us can relate (sorry Linux, but we know you get it, too).

Does being a 'Browser' mean the end of fanboy arguments over Mac and PC advertisements? Doubtful, gamers have proven that hardware seems to still matter when they're all playing the same game on PS3, Xbox, Wii, on a computer, etc... We just need to make sure everyone's getting the same Web, and not a specialized version of it on one place or another. Fragmentation of the Web is counter-productive.

So, are we there yet? Is XKCD making the call too early? Do you consider yourself tied more to your hardware, or the Web?

Readers' comments 40

Left under the original article, as archived.

ErikSunday, August 7, 2011 1:13:48 AM
touché, now... to those facial gestures
tutihilmanSunday, August 7, 2011 1:18:13 AM
RAMADHAN= KASIH SAYANG
Peter & Elizabeth (Love & Wonder)Sunday, August 7, 2011 1:19:57 AM
I believe that the Opera browser is incredible! There are a few problems that need addressing, such as limited text access to certain websites (and, no, it's not the pop-blocker). Other than that, I prefer using Opera, or Safari, over any browser I have available (Windows Internet Exploder, Firebox, Google Clonk, et cetera). Kudos to the gang in Oslo.
NenadSunday, August 7, 2011 1:21:07 AM
Oh we're there already if u ask me... the only thing I'm not using my browser for are games, everything else goes through Swordfish
IvanSunday, August 7, 2011 1:21:09 AM
Opera rules! Mac OS, Windows blablabla... Just put in fullscreen and both are Opera! That's what really matters.
Andrew CottrellSunday, August 7, 2011 1:21:12 AM
firstly: i love opera
Secondly: erm, isnt this what google have been doing with chrome for quite some time now?
tanaalethanSunday, August 7, 2011 1:24:57 AM
Now if only the web was the same on every browser. I'm a web programmer and I'm *really* sick of having to program around IEs little failures (which turn out to be major failures) to cooperate with current technology.

Me personally, I'm tied to my Windows box. I can't stand Mac (UI or otherwise) or Linux (same thing) I've grown up with Windows and I'll use Windows until they decide to change (Windows 8 looks.. terrible)

On recent websites I've made, I've actually posted warnings on them stating that the site probably won't work on IE as well as on FF, Opera, and Chrome, and the user should upgrade to any of those three.
GusSunday, August 7, 2011 1:29:43 AM
True, OS are becoming less important.
But I'll not let anyone take my shell from me
Phillip Robert O'ConnerSunday, August 7, 2011 1:31:39 AM
I'm Mac and I'm PC and we both agreed that opera is the best browser ever:D -Sleepybird
GouravSunday, August 7, 2011 1:36:28 AM
We are definitely moving towards that. A few days back I used Linux for the first time but I didn't have any problems because all browsers are same on all platforms and it was so easy to install Opera on Ubuntu. I sychronised with Opera links and everything was same as windows (my regular OS).
But Google is really playing spoilsport here. Open google plus in Opera and you'll know what I mean
manojldsSunday, August 7, 2011 1:38:02 AM
It is going to be "I'm a Chrome", "I'm a Firefox", etc.

And sadly, Opera will remain the minority.
JamesSunday, August 7, 2011 2:02:35 AM
Originally posted by gourav2711:

But Google is really playing spoilsport here. Open google plus in Opera and you'll know what I mean

Google plus works fine in Opera for me.
GusSunday, August 7, 2011 2:12:36 AM
Originally posted by Pernig:

Google plus works fine in Opera for me.

It works, but without the google-bar notification system.
What sometimes is a good thing (less distraction).
AlexeySunday, August 7, 2011 2:24:56 AM
Yes, web apps are a great idea. "Why do I need to install [MS/Open/etc] Office just to make a tiny spreadsheet?"

But on the other side: "Why do I need a working Internet connection just to make a tiny spreadsheet?!"

I believe, Opera has the greatest potential here - an ability to remove the difference between web- and desktop apps. Consider, for example, a spreadsheet Opera Unite application, which has benefits from both of this worlds: ability to work on any platform, where Opera currently works, even without Internet connection (just like desktop application), plus "remote-acces" feature from any internet device (just like a web application). Huh?
techlawsamSunday, August 7, 2011 2:57:36 AM
now if only we could get a webian competitor from opera xD
darkpadawanSunday, August 7, 2011 3:26:43 AM
i wish video calling will be available on opera soon.
Charles SchlossSunday, August 7, 2011 5:07:00 AM
web since it is on the desktop phones, cars, and tvs
Corey MwambaSunday, August 7, 2011 6:14:15 AM
Originally posted by alex-shpak:

Consider, for example, a spreadsheet Opera Unite application

Like - http://unite.opera.com/application/432/

The framework for this in Opera has been around since 10.10 - 2009? - which makes it about the same age as Chrome OS. I don't think I'll personally switch to having a browser as an operating system - hardware for my job is too important, but it's definitely developing fast.
Adonis @ my.opera /friendspartyworldSunday, August 7, 2011 7:44:57 AM
Alexey is right. But i like Opera mini most in that case. It works with hardware as well as with the cloud. One thing i would like it to work with is other software like bluetooth. That is i miss extensions here
sirnh1Sunday, August 7, 2011 7:51:25 AM
7 years ago everyone worked off-line and now most company's try to brainwash people to do everything online.
When I play games, watch a movie, listening to music, write a document etc... I want to be able to do that without any kind of internet connection. I kind of hate the idea to have a browser as an OS, I want ALL MY files (and data) to be off-line on my computer, there is no good reason to have most of online.
Why would I (for example) use an online office suite, when an off-line one (like libreoffice) does the job just fine and I can use it even without the internet and it's still free... Whatever you do online, if you use an online service and the service stops to exist then you just lost all you're data, you can't even make you're own backups...

Edit: besides a WebOS is just an excuse to be able to do some 'vendor lock-in'.
Adonis @ my.opera /friendspartyworldSunday, August 7, 2011 7:51:25 AM
Alexey is right. But i like Opera mini most in that case. It works with hardware as well as with the cloud. One thing i would like it to work with is other software like bluetooth. That is i miss extensions here
Adonis @ my.opera /friendspartyworldSunday, August 7, 2011 7:52:04 AM
@manojlds: Opera mini isnot a minority. And most people say using google not chrome. They may however talk about extensions, widget and Unite, mini, itunes, fb, plus etc. I believe Unite is hardly understood yet.
FodaroSunday, August 7, 2011 10:05:05 AM
The problem is, Opera isn't ready to replace my OS. No browser is. Anything you do on the web uses someone else's computing resources. No matter how good their intentions appear to be, you're depending on their server, security, and discretion. I don't want all of my digital life to be stored on the servers of Google, Microsoft, Dropbox or anyone else so that they can sell it to the highest bidder. The only answer to that problem is local storage and local processing.
Peter & Elizabeth (Love & Wonder)Sunday, August 7, 2011 11:28:10 AM
Being in this community, I am learning more than I ever have when it comes to computers, and how they work. As far as tanaalathan's comment is concerned over not liking Mac OS - how can you be a champion to an OS that began life tied to DOS (like MS-DOS was a huge improvement)... even now, you still have to boot with BIOS - directories in Windows are still set up in the original DOS format, aside from the new extensions that have come into play since Vista arrived (an OS that truly sucked; Windows 7 is just more of the same, only more stable; Windows 8 will be a continuation...) - throw in the fact that Windows OS can only work best within the processing of 32-bit and 64-bit packets of data, and these facts alone - still have me returning to Mac OS. Linux - like Opera - open source; which, poses its own set of problems (and, yes - I'm aware that Unix is the parent [Bell Labs, circa 1968], which is now used in Mac OS) - but like Gus said, "I like having my own shell." Mac OS is it for me, shell, kernel, and cocoa. So far, Opera looks and behaves more like Mac OS than anything else I've seen, browser-wise - as it is user-intuitive. And if Opera will be the beginning of a 'cloud OS' - that could make life easier for computer users out there, who have fewer resources (read: third world countries). Rock on, Mac OS & Opera!
JimSunday, August 7, 2011 4:02:20 PM
So when can we expect the OperaBook? Or maybe oBook?
zion odeyemiSunday, August 7, 2011 6:56:51 PM
just luv joining new things, world or class!
rogerwilco75Monday, August 8, 2011 1:24:20 AM
I do love Opera for what it is with all it's functions and additional goodies, but I expect a computer platform to also be fully functional when I am off-line (of course I wouldn't expect it to e.g. be able to poll e-mail while being off-line etc.).

Store (personal) data in the cloud? No way, unless it's just an additional backup (next to local ones), to which only I have a ludicrously strong, self-created en-/decryption key. There are a lot of tasks I don't see myself doing in the browser even in a couple of years. I am no great fan of centralization of such things/services; it makes you lose control to some degree and weakens your position as a customer, I think I could go on rambling and listing numerous other aspects, but I hope, that probably people will start to reflect a little more on who they trust and to which degree and under which conditions hand their data to. Don't even wanna get started talking about people voluntarily virtually stripping naked on social networks by posting what they post.

However, Opera is a great browser with fantastic additional functionality.
StaticMonday, August 8, 2011 7:08:06 AM
I guess Linux users are quite distinguishable from Windows/Mac users since they aren't in the comic . Also, a Mac is an OS, which is part of a PC (personal computer). The overpriced, shiny boxes do not mac it something else either. Windows is the same thing (an OS) as a Mac. Why do people make such mistakes? They have the whole internet (which they are on most of the time) to check! Good thing Opera ignores the differences and focuses on them all, no matter what the market share

Wikipedia article about PCs
HenryMonday, August 8, 2011 12:27:53 PM
Originally posted by .ed:

I'm a Browser.

Well, ya know, there are days when i think i'm a very well dressed cucumber in a flying saucer, defending the world from ills with my trusty Opera Mini lazer... but you just gotta move on.
I mean, take my aunt HenrIEtta, she was convinced she was a wicker basket hiding behind a shrub in Diablo. She had to have a lobotomy and now she's a right shocker!

Metaphorical. ";-)
Dustin WilsonMonday, August 8, 2011 4:06:15 PM
I had a feeling when I first saw this post that it would degenerate into an operating system flame war. To a certain extent it has, but it's great that for the most part it hasn't.

I think people these days have more battles over their preferred browser than their OS. That's a sign things are changing, but I am for the most part tied to my OS of choice, and that's the key word: choice. I'm free to choose what operating system I wish to use because a lot of the software that used to tie me to an operating system I despise with every fabric of my being can be done in the browser now, and much of the remaining software is cross-platform.
Peter & Elizabeth (Love & Wonder)Tuesday, August 9, 2011 7:41:32 AM
No flame wars here. I'm all for choice, though what I wrote about Windows is true. Use what you want - Red Hat Linux, Windows, Mac OS, DOS - whatever - everything is peachy. Like most of the preceding posts said:

Opera ignores whichever OS is used, and, gives the user a really nice GUI - along with some user-intuitive tricks. The Opera Widgets, in my humble opinion, are a gas.

As I write this on our Toshiba Satellite laptop - running Windows Vista (!) - all I can say, is that my experience with Opera makes my PC life one hell of a lot more tolerable.

Hail to the codesters in Oslo!
praetor87Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:18:22 AM
I know for mac the id games, but nothing else.
kirkcuthTuesday, August 9, 2011 1:17:41 PM
I agree that the browswer is more important than the hardware. I'm doing about 70% of my computer activity on the internet.
Since 2003, I've also been using open-source applications that were cross platform. So doesn't matter what computer I'm on. If I can install the application, I can do what needs to be done.
Applications I'm using include Firefox, Thunderbird, Opera, OpenOffice, GIMP, KompoZer and Audacity. In the past three years, I've started experimenting with cloud applications that are put up by Google. Such as GoogleDocs and Gmail, Google calendar. These increase my sense of security. If the computer dies, my data is on the web and can still be used from almost everywhere. I'm using more extensions and plug-ins to the browser: such as Xmarks, LastPass, and FireScribe for posting to my blogs.

This is definitely a trend, which shows that history goes in cycles. Having the data in a central computer and accessing it from a terminal was the original way that computers were used. Now the data is in a central location, but with a browser any computer or even a smart phone with a browser can be the terminal to access and use the data.
totoffJ9Tuesday, August 9, 2011 8:49:17 PM
hi, bringing back the upload function in google docs for opera users would be one first step on the road to an os. does anyone at opera looks after this bug?
JulianFriday, August 12, 2011 6:01:24 PM
Hi I'm Web !!!!!!!
AlexanderSaturday, September 3, 2011 5:37:58 AM
nice
ChristopherSunday, September 4, 2011 4:47:56 PM
how true.
for the performance:
The Khronos Group is working on a WebCL, OpenCL for web!
http://www.khronos.org/webcl/
Dariush rezazMonday, September 12, 2011 10:18:20 PM
Tankyou.
Peter & Elizabeth (Love & Wonder)Wednesday, September 14, 2011 6:00:27 PM
Speaking of Google - their Android app Airpush is a downright ripoff; you have to install an app on your smartphone to opt-out from their $9.99 (USD) a month subscription (which is foisted upon you, without your knowledge - how craven can a company be?) to get 'tailor-made' ads sent to your phone. I just updated my Opera Mobile browser to the 11.1 update - if Opera remains true to its credo (with Opera's past history, I believe that with all of my heart), maybe we'll have other apps developed by the same to catch ripoff artists like the aforementioned!
Adonis @ my.opera /friendspartyworldTuesday, November 29, 2011 4:11:18 PM
https://www.facebook.com/alindt/posts/271780662872982?ref=notif&notif_t=share_comment
is talking among other things about how opera desktop browses other browsers lol