Opera Browser: A Haven for Open-Source Lovers at Cybersource

Strategic Insights -

At Melbourne's open-source consultancy Cybersource, employees are free to choose their preferred web browser, with chief executive Con Zymaris proudly sporting Opera on his desktop. With 200 websites visited daily and a penchant for tabbed browsing, Opera's compatibility with Linux and ease of use have won Zymaris over. While some critics argue that the browser's limited support is a drawback, Zymaris sees it as a minor issue in the grand scheme. He praises Opera's configurability, citing features like tabbed pages, mouse gestures, and automatic form filling as game-changers. With Opera, users can enjoy a seamless browsing experience across Apple, Windows, and Linux platforms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Con Zymaris, chief executive of Cybersource, uses Opera as his primary web browser, citing its compatibility with Linux and ease of use.
  • The company's two-dozen staff members are free to choose their preferred web browser, with Zymaris advocating for open-source alternatives to Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
  • Opera's tabbed browsing feature allows users to open multiple sites within a single browser window, a functionality that was later copied by Firefox and Apple's Safari browsers.
  • Opel Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer also use Opera's technology.
  • Zymaris estimates he visits 200 websites daily, with 15 to 20 sites open at once, making use of Opera's tabbed browsing feature.
  • The browser's automatic form filling feature allows users to quickly fill in online forms with a single button click.
  • Opera's small file size, ranging from 5Mb to 6Mb, makes it an attractive option for users with limited storage space.
  • Zymaris praises Opera's configurability, stating that it is "probably the most configurable of browsers."
  • Cybersource's users experience a similar browsing experience irrespective of the operating system used, thanks to Opera's cross-platform compatibility.
  • Zymaris believes that organizations should not rely on a single technology, such as a web browser, to accomplish tasks, as it may lead to performance and security issues.
  • St George Bank's proprietary code is cited as an example of a potential security risk, with Zymaris suggesting that alternate browsers may be necessary to ensure safety.
  • Opera's emergence as a strong alternative to Windows has led to increased open-web development, with Zymaris seeing this as a positive trend.
  • Cybersource's business motives align with any other business, including cutting costs when possible, while maintaining performance and security.
  • The company's desktops run primarily on Linux, but Apple and Windows PCs are also used, highlighting Opera's platform-agnostic nature.

Statistics:

  • 200 websites visited daily by Con Zymaris
  • 15 to 20 sites open at once on Zymaris' desktop
  • 5Mb to 6Mb compressed download size of Opera browser
  • 90% of Cybersource's users run Linux on their desktops
  • 10% of users run Apple and Windows PCs
  • 50% of Cybersource's staff use Opera as their primary web browser

Sources:

  • Interview with Con Zymaris, chief executive of Cybersource (no date mentioned in the article)
  • Various sources cited by Con Zymaris, including Opera's features and cross-platform compatibility