[Moltke]

I'm using opera and for now I find it quite good :). It uses less resources than chrome and firefox and after trying some of the "flags" which you can access by typing in the addressbar "opera://flags" and then you'll see a new set of "experimental features" you'll be warned to use at your own risk. However, I tried these ones:
*Warn about local, unknown roots
*Experimental canvas features
*Simple Cache for HTTP
*TCP Fast Open (Linux only)
*Number of raster threads
*FontCache scaling
And honestly, I  must say that I fell opera a little bit smoother and faster, and it's even consuming less resources than before! In case some of you don't know about these "experimental features", which I think you should by now since they're being around for a little while, here's a link that you might find helpful: https://www.askvg.com/how-to-access-hidd...-browsers/

[smhardesty]

I tried Opera over the years and was never impressed by it. There were always lots of websites spouting the benefits of using opera and speed was always at the top of the list. I never found it to be any faster, and at times it was actually slower. It still has compatibility issues with some sites just like it always has. Now that it has been sold to a Chinese consortium I've made the decision to stay away from it. It's not that I'm "anti Chinese", but I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable using a browser owned and controlled by unknown Chinese companies either. Maybe if there were fewer companies involved and there was some transparency it would be different.

[Moltke]

I tried Opera over the years and was never impressed by it. There were always lots of websites spouting the benefits of using opera and speed was always at the top of the list. I never found it to be any faster, and at times it was actually slower. It still has compatibility issues with some sites just like it always has. Now that it has been sold to a Chinese consortium I've made the decision to stay away from it. It's not that I'm "anti Chinese", but I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable using a browser owned and controlled by unknown Chinese companies either. Maybe if there were fewer companies involved and there was some transparency it would be different.

I used to think about Opera the same as you do; I didn't like it, not a bit. I remember this one tedious feature it had: it always installed a searchbar which actually happened to be malware or adware, some kind of a virus, and it was a pain to get rid of it! I've used it in windows just to uninstall it right after, however, like I said I find it quite good in Linux Lite.  Is there actually anything, something "company owned free"? I remember this article I read once about "security on the Internet" or something like that, whose author wisely stated: "If people are concerned about their security over the Internet, then they should reasonably consider not to use it at all" I've kept those words for myself ever after since :)

[trinidad]

"If people are concerned about their security over the Internet, then they should reasonably consider not to use it at all"
from Moltke

I always tell people about the same thing: "If you have a real secret don't ever keep it on a computer."

TC

[TheDead]

I understand the "copyrights" arguments for closed source software in specific / hardware related use.
But for a "standard" Internet browser, that really makes me itch and ask the question ... Why?
Is it just "old-school" business habits or is there something to hide behind the "free" mask? (Insert evil, cliff-hanger, music... Mouahaha!)

Also, people just need to realize (and accept I guess) that anytime you are "connected", be it Internet, Celllar, WiFi or even BlueTooth. You have an open security "risk". Thats one of the reasons why critical security systems like Nuclear Plants are closed and "stand-alone".

On a related note, I suggest reading the really interesting story about The Stuxnet virus Vs The Iran Nuclear Program.

Cheers!

[bitsnpcs]

Now that it has been sold to a Chinese consortium I've made the decision to stay away from it. It's not that I'm "anti Chinese", but I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable using a browser owned and controlled by unknown Chinese companies either. Maybe if there were fewer companies involved and there was some transparency it would be different.

<snip>

[Coastie]

... It's not that I'm "anti Chinese", but I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable using a browser owned and controlled by unknown Chinese companies either. Maybe if there were fewer companies involved and there was some transparency it would be different.

I also am uncomfortable with using main land Chinese products like browsers, WPS, etc. I have no problem with Chinese people where ever they live. I am just uncomfortable with the main land Chinese government's possible involvement in internet and other communication devices that I use. I know my phone, computer parts, etc. maybe or are made in China.  At least my phone is a dumb flip phone so it should be safe.  ;D

[smhardesty]

I also am uncomfortable with using main land Chinese products like browsers, WPS, etc. I have no problem with Chinese people where ever they live. I am just uncomfortable with the main land Chinese government's possible involvement in internet and other communication devices that I use. I know my phone, computer parts, etc. maybe or are made in China.  At least my phone is a dumb flip phone so it should be safe.  ;D

Well said. Probably better said than my own statement. The Chinese Government is actually what I am most fearful of with regards to the browser I use. I wasn't sure it was OK to even use the word "Government" on this forum. I belong to a couple other forums of a different genre that totally freak out if any discussion of politics taints their eyes.

[Coastie]

I tried Sea Monkey but little improvement over Firefox. Since I already had repo in Synaptic from installing Firefox. I gave the Mozilla Build of Firefox a try and uninstalled the Ubuntu add on which not enabled. Maybe a little improvement. I decided to stop wasting time trying different browser. I guess I was doing it over loyalty or nostalgia to Mozilla and Netscape. I am getting use to Chrome and it just works. Maybe when the new improved Firefox 57 Quantum on Nov 14, I can go back to Firefox.

[smhardesty]

It's weird that you aren't seeing any major difference between Firefox and SeaMonkey. SeaMonkey is considerable faster on my laptop and a whole bunch more stable. Maybe it's the hardware. Could be a lot of things, I guess.