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Opera Goes Free to Challenge Explorer, Netscape

Free version of small, multiplatform Net browser posted for download.

George A. Chidi Jr., IDG News Service

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Opera Software, the third-largest Web browser maker, has released the latest version of its Windows browser software for free download, hoping to challenge the dominance of its better-known rivals.

The Opera for Windows 5.0 browser contains news and e-mail clients, integrates Web search and instant messaging functions, and supports plug-ins. It is a 1.89MB download, with code to enable Java and Java plug-ins adding 7MB to the file size.

In comparison, a full install of Internet Explorer version 5.5 requires 111MB of hard disk space, and a minimum install requires 45MB. A complete install of Netscape Communicator version 4.7 requires 14MB on the hard disk.

"With a smaller browser, you leave more room in your RAM for data," says Jon von Tetzchner, Opera's chief executive officer. "And with the file size as small, it opens the door for Opera to run on smaller devices."

The free version of Opera carries banner advertising, while the browser without ads costs $39.

"People say they would use Opera, if they wouldn't have to spend money to buy it," Tetzchner says. "This gives them an option."

Cross-Platform Options

Opera last revised the browser to Version 4.0, released last March. (See "Opera Updates Browser.")

Opera has versions for the EPOC operating system used in mobile telephones and other portable devices, as well as a Linux version in beta-test stage, a Macintosh OS version, and a version for BeOS. Tetzchner says he would consider developing a Palm OS version when RAM and screen size improves on personal digital assistants.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer and America Online's Netscape products lead browser sales worldwide, in large part because PCs are often sold with the software bundled in, or the browsers can be downloaded for free.

Tetzchner says Opera claims between one and two million users worldwide.

(See other PCWorld.com coverage of Opera.)

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