Update to Opera Widgets
2006-05-07 14:43 CET
I wrote earlier that I couldn't get Widgets to work in Opera 9 Beta on my 64bit Kubuntu Dapper Drake box. There is a solution, and the solution is great! Not only did it make Opera Widgets work for me, it also removed the annoying background fading when they were employed. Starting Opera with the following command will remove the fade effect and, at least for me, make the widgets work:
opera -overlay no
So, how useful are these widgets? I've seen many complaints that they aren't necessary, that there are better, more powerful alternatives, etc. I agree. Strictly speaking they aren't necessary. Desklets and similar can do a lot more than Opera Widgets can.
But I find the widgets to be convenient. I have Opera open most of the time, so it doesn't bother me that they aren't available when Opera isn't running. Worst case scenario: I start Opera. The currency converter and the unit converter are excellent! And yes, it's usually while browsing some site or another that I have a need of them. And now for the best part: If you don't like them you don't have to use them! Just keep away from F6 and it will be like they aren't there. Just like the mail and chat clients.
I tend to like little things like this. Little things that make life a little more convenient. I agree that they aren't necessary. I could well go to some Web site to get the information I wanted, but if the information can conveniently come to me, when I want it to, then that's usually a good thing. As long as these features doesn't bloat Opera unecessarily, or slow it down, or get in the way if you don't like them.
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