Which Browser is Best?

        "Here is the most comprehensive review of browsers on a Mac that I've ever read. You — and I, for sure — probably won't understand or appreciate all the technical jargon used in the testing," Jim Hamm introduces us to this topic. 
        Read about these four: Safari 7.0.3, Firefox 28.0. Chrome 34.0.1847.116, and Opera 20.0.1.1387.91 in a 10-page report.

        Jim goes on to explain,  "It used to be the emphasis was on speed of the browser, but no longer is this considered so important. There are many factors involved in browsing the web, playing games, etc., as the author explains. 

        "Which browser is considered best on a Mac? Well, if this is important to you, read on to see what the testing says. But, realistically, the browser that suits your needs is the browser that's best for you.
        And Jim concludes, "It was interesting — to me, anyway — to read how the author went about the testing. Might be a bit too geeky for many folks, though."

New Browser for iPad

        "Here is an article describing a new browser designed by Opera specifically for the iPad: Coast. You can download it at the app store. I've tried it briefly, and it seems fine so far," writes Jim Hamm.  And, no doubt, he will keep us posted. 

Opera's Next Rendition is Available

        Here's Jim Hamm's report on Opera, following up on the earlier posting on June 3.  "I've been using, for a couple of days, Opera's next rendition of a browser entitled, appropriately enough, Opera Next 15. It is still undergoing development but is available for download for either a Mac or PC. I have it installed on both, and it has been working fine. Here is an article with a brief review of Opera Next. And here is a video of the browser.

        "One aspect of the browser that I particularly like is the small amount of memory the browser uses. When first opened it uses roughly 54 MB of memory, and only moves up to about 75 MB after extensive usage. The other browsers I use can get to hundreds of MB of memory consumed, and a restart of the browser is necessary to free up memory." 

         So, what does Jim suggest?  "If you like to explore a bit, you might give Opera Next a try. Here is the download website."

Opera for Mac

"If you like to try alternate browsers, just for a change of pace, you might give Opera a try," Jim Hamm gets our attention.  

        "Here is a brief review of Opera 15 (updated 11-22-15 by John Carter). I've been using it for just a short time and first impression: it's okay. As with any different browser, there is a learning curve, and Opera has its own nuances.

        "Some examples:  I imported all my Bookmarks from Safari, but you have to do a bit of searching to do this. In Opera: file > import > Finder > Applications > Safari > Bookmarks.plist; some items like History and Bookmarks are hidden. In the lower left corner of the window is where you click the icon for 'Panels' and a row of panels open up on the left side of the window to display History, Bookmarks and other items.

        "One difference in Opera is an aggravation which I don't like and may preclude me from using this browser so often is the way Opera handles Gmail. I use the web-based Gmail as my email client and when I compose an email a 'compose' box appears and overlays, partially, the Gmail main window.

        "Fine, and so far so good. I start typing in the box and want to get a link to something on a website — I go and copy the link and return to Gmail — the compose box is gone! Now where did it go?

        "Gmail saves a draft of a compose message every few seconds so I go to the Draft Inbox and there is my message I was composing. I click it but can't type in it. Frustrating, and what good is a draft if you can't use it? After some more head-scratching I minimized the open Opera window and there are my drafts, stacked on top of the other. I start typing again and need to go and get another link from a website. I've got to maximize the Opera window again, get the link, minimize Opera, then start typing in the compose box again. Not good.

        "All my other browsers keep the dialog box open right in the Gmail window. I'll do a bit or research to see if there isn't a way around this nuance.

        "As to speed, Opera is fine, and it has a feature called 'Turbo Boost', which is, in theory, supposed to speed up loading web pages even faster. I'll give it, and other features, a try as I play around with Opera some more."

        Jim wraps up his critique with this, "Any compelling reason to switch to Opera as your primary browser? In a word, no. But if you like to play around with a new program, you might give Opera a try."