Ask DLS: what do you think about Opera Unite 24 hours later?
For once, Opera did a good job of marketing their browser. They managed to keep us all (mostly) in the dark about how they planned on reinventing the web, build a decent amount of hype, and finally sprung Unite on us yesterday.
It was built up as a "democratization" of the web because you own your data and Unite gives you a way to declare your independence from cloud-based services.
I don't know about you, but the luster wore off pretty quickly for me. Here's why:
It was built up as a "democratization" of the web because you own your data and Unite gives you a way to declare your independence from cloud-based services.
I don't know about you, but the luster wore off pretty quickly for me. Here's why:
- I don't like parts of the EULA very much. Specifically, this one:
"...we have the right to refuse to post, edit, or deliver submitted User Generated Content. We reserve the right to remove User Generated Content for any reason, but we are not responsible for any failure or delay in removing such material. We reserve the right to block any user's access to any content, web site or web page in our sole discretion. Opera Software ASA reserves the right to terminate your account if you use your account privileges to unlawfully transmit copyrighted material without a license, valid defense or fair use privilege to do so...Opera Software ASA may at it's discretion, block certain web sites or domains and re-route you to other pages. By accepting these Terms of Use, You hereby consent to this."
That file sharing function? Don't point it at your MP3 collection. Furthermore, how un-Democratic is that? Unite is supposed to free you from the cloud, but Opera gets to hold their finger over the red button?
- Continuing on that theme, I don't like that all Unite data must pass through Opera's proxy server. It has to if they want to be able to police content, of course. But that kind of blows the whole "reclaim your independence from servers" assertion out of the water.
- In a discussion with CNet, an Opera spokesperson said "Be a bit cautious." Why? There's no encryption. Does it pose a risk? Not really, says Opera. When she was asked if the platform could be used by an unauthorized person to access data on a machine running Unite, the response was "Definitely not -- unless they're a hacker." Uh, wait...So does it pose a risk or not?
- Ironically, Opera's demo features don't even adhere to their own rules. Example: "The service must not have obvious bugs, so ensure that you test it before uploading[...]The service should serve standards-compliant HTML pages that are viewable in all modern browsers on a variety of devices."
So why couldn't I get the media player to work in Firefox?
- I don't want to share directly from my machine. With my ISP, uploading seriously chokes my bandwidth. Someone else wants to serve my files for me for free? Great, sign me up! Other apps I've been using for ages make sharing photos and streaming my music so simple that Unite's function really isn't an advantage.
What's your take?
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The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Crazy Serb said 2:45PM on 6-17-2009
My take - useless waste of time, development, resources and everything else that went into putting this together.
And I completely agree with what the original article above concludes.
First of all, if you want to offer me freedom from any online sherriffs, don't go behind my back and regulate my "content" yourself.
Second of all - all those features have been covered by existing 3rd party applications, and I really don't want to see them part of my browser either. Why? Because it will slow down my browsing experience (gasp! that's what I actually use the browser for!)
In the other news - Google speeds up Chrome browsing experience even more! Hip-hip-hooray!
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Pallab said 3:28PM on 6-17-2009
Its meant only for blocking illegal file sharing. Opera doesn't want Unite to become sorta P2P to share copyrighted material.
They don't monitor what you upload, unless the receive a report. In that case they will go ahead and check out your content. If its illegal they will give you a warning. If you are caught the 2nd time you would be banned.
That sounds fair enough to me.
Ridgecity said 4:49PM on 6-17-2009
All software and services has this kind of EULA, IF you wanna share private stuff don't give it to people you don't trust or don't know. They will tell everyone about your nude granny fetish.
Christian said 2:51PM on 6-17-2009
I stopped liking Opera ever since they attacked Microsoft. I like Microsoft but I am transitioning slowly to Chrome. I just use both now depending on the site I need to go to.
Good to know about Unite though.
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TruthBringer said 8:02AM on 6-18-2009
I stopped liking Opera before that, but once they started whining to the EU because of their low marketshare, I decided that I will never use an Opera product again. I am not the least bit excited about this. I am perfectly fine with my IE8 and I don't plan on changing browser anytime soon.
plings said 7:39AM on 6-20-2009
@Christian: "I stopped liking Opera ever since they attacked Microsoft."
Wait, reporting a criminal to the authorities is "attacking them"?? Wow... And what about the fact that Microsoft attacked Google at least twice by reporting them to the antitrust authorities in the US and EU? Did you stop liking Microsoft then? If not, why did you stop disliking Opera for doing the same thing once?
And remember that both of Microsoft's complaints were thrown out, while Opera's actually had merit!
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@TruthBringer: said 8:02AM on 6-18-2009
"once they started whining to the EU"
So reporting a crime is "whining"? Nice to know.
"I will never use an Opera product again"
So you won't use IE, Chrome or Firefox either?
Remember, Microsoft filed antitrust complaints against Google. Google has filed antitrust complaints against Microsoft, and joined this latest EU case. Mozilla joined and fully support the antitrust case against Microsoft.
So will you now never use a Microsoft, Google or Mozilla product again?
Or are you being hypocroitical and only whining when Opera does something everyone else is doing?
Kenn.keeper said 6:00PM on 6-17-2009
As a long time user of Opera I'm not impressed with their new "Idea" Yes they are offering this at no cost ($) but as Lee Mathews stated ,Unite is a repackaging of the web, not a reinvention. I will still continue to use Opera as long as it funtions to my satisfaction.......
My motto of Free is good is starting to discolor a bit.
Kenn.....
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plings said 7:28AM on 6-20-2009
It does "reinvent" the web because now people are no longer looking at the web, they are part of the web. I mean, this is easy enough for your mother to be part of the web with her computer. That's pretty revolutionary.
Cooltaj said 3:06PM on 6-17-2009
i hate how everything about DLS is so full of sh*T about Opera and its Services.
DLS is so pro firefox where bullshit features like adding a Tab button to the stupid firefox tab bar is informed with so much enthusiasm as the world has never seen such implementation before. GROW UP over Firefox Fanboyism!
No matter what news features Opera implement or how much of a better browser Opera is, it is always criticized one way or another because of ignorant firefox/web users in general.
i used to like DLS but this would be the last article i will read here, since it has gotten so biased. i bet mozilla is shoving something down ur throat.So good luck criticizing DLS, u lost a reader.....while i go unite everything with OPERA UNITE....Take that sh*t FACE!
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Lee Mathews said 3:07PM on 6-17-2009
Instead of talking smack, how about you counter my points? Make an argument I can believe, and I'll change my mind.
I gave Unite a fair chance, and I don't like it. That's my opinion.
Firefox fanboy? Sure, if 50% of my browsing makes me one. Other than that, I use Chromium.
Lee Mathews said 3:07PM on 6-17-2009
For example, tell me I'm wrong that there's no encryption.
Lee Mathews said 3:11PM on 6-17-2009
Also, if you think Opera "innovated" Unite's features, you're wrong.
Tonido did this months ago outside of a browser.
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/03/18/tonido-does-cloudless-private-file-sharing-collaboration-and-m/
Pallab De said 3:33PM on 6-17-2009
Agreed. The partiallity is quite obvious.
As far the right to reject services goes, its put in place to prevent Services page being cluttered with low-value and silly services. But Opera is not Apple. Don't expect them to go out of their way to moderate content. Its their in EULA as a safety clause. It would become a mess if everyone submitted a HELLO WORLD and Opera Soft didn't have a right to reject it.
cooltaj said 3:40PM on 6-17-2009
oh, The "Innovation" is simplicity and putting it into the browser where a user spent most of their time. not using Dropbox, flickr, and other stuff to do simple thing. It is a simple innovative unified solution.
Tonido is a desktop app and i tried configuring it yesterday with little to no luck.
TruthBringer said 8:08AM on 6-18-2009
I agree with Lee, did you have to be so rude? Wow, that was horrible. In my opinion though, his review was fair, and this is coming from a user that hates Opera, and doesn't use Firefox. I'm exclusively an IE person. Opera was innovative. Now they just stoop to ripping off others and whining to the EU to try to get into Windows. Down with Opera!
fiend said 3:19PM on 6-17-2009
i think it was a good idea, the implementation not so much, it should be a simpler experience, like the dropbox backup/sync service, it should do all the work and you would just drag stuff into opera and it would work (you could tie the operaunite or your own domain to it) and thats it... if it was images or videos... wouldn't matter the person on the other side would be able to see it/download it, if you were offline the page would show something else like "uhhh seems username is not online at the moment, send him a msg" ...
but like you said, its buggy, it drives through opera servers, its inefficient and instead of adding it feels more like bloat and opera "hosting" and not so much you sharing hehehe
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hmm said 3:20PM on 6-17-2009
I don't understand half the fuss. The Opera proxy is only there so that people don't have to bother messing with their ports. This is not just for geeks.(Its like damned if you do and damned if you don't). If you want to avoid it, act geeky . Use your own domain , point it to your ip :port 8840 .(Make sure the ports are open.) . Say Congrats to yourself. You have eliminated the middleman. Yeah u can change the port in the config if you wish.
I agree with you on security. Every Web server has had some security issues.
I also agree that this has little use because of the need to keep the browser open and because of poor upload speeds.
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hmm said 3:45PM on 6-17-2009
Lee , you should at least have read the FAQ?
"Where is the Opera Unite technology placed?
Opera Unite technology resides in the Opera browser. No data is stored on servers outside your control. For connections, if UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is not available, some server-side Opera technology will aid in establishing a connection between users."
"What does "UPnP" mean and what does this option do?
"UPnP" means Universal Plug and Play, which allows you to share your data using direct connections to your computer, if available. This can make loading speeds for your services faster, as they will bypass the proxy server. However, as it is up to each service to load content using the direct connection, it may not always run services faster. UPnP has no authentication mechanism, and assumes that local systems and their users are completely trustworthy. If you are unsure about using UPnP, or do not wish to use it, you can disable it by unchecking this option. If you don't want to use UPnP but still allow a direct connection, you can manually forward port 8840 from your router."
Lee Mathews said 3:46PM on 6-17-2009
Is this with regards to the lack of encryption? If not, please clarify.
My issue was with the data being passed from point to point wide open. I didn't think data was being stored on Opera's servers.
hmm said 3:58PM on 6-17-2009
No Lee I was replying to this :
"Continuing on that theme, I don't like that all Unite data must pass through Opera's proxy server. It has to if they want to be able to police content, of course. But that kind of blows the whole "reclaim your independence from servers" assertion out of the water."
Regarding encryption ,lets give it time and see if it develops.