As I had mentioned in my article 3 days ago,Opera became free from today.No more ads.As expected premium support won't be available for the free version.If you want premium support then you need to register your browser for 29$.This would entitle you to recieve premium support for 1 year.If you want you can still buy Opera from here
I think this is a smart decision as it would increase the popularity of Opera manifolds.Many people would be wondering how would Opera be able to fund itself.It is well known that Mobile market is a major source of revenue for Opera.As far as I can see there are several other sources of revenue too.Some of them are
a)The search bar.I know that Google pays Firefox for google searches made through it's search bar.I dont see any reason to belive that it is otherwise with Opera.
b) Opera is reselling slipstream.
c) You can still buy Opera for 29$ in order to get premium support.
d) I believe recently they have entered into a partnership with about.com.This may be a source of some revenue too.
e) The already have an partnership with Adobe.
Also people who have purchased Opera less than 30 days ago would probably get a refund.
Opera v8.50 has also been released.You can view the changelog here.The major changes in the browser itself are
- Security issue in Secunia Advisory 16645 has been fixed.
- Browser Javascript is now enabled by default
Opera is available for download here
Learn why Opera became free
http://www.opera.com
Copied from my blog Cool. Its the same as the paid version right?
Exactly.They have only decided to remove the ads.
They are actually expecting an increase in revenue due to this.
Now FF is going to face some tough competition as opera was always better in terms of quality.
Today morning was release of Opera 8.5-The best browser(IMhO)
Now opera became absolutely free!!!
Nice news!
Start testing 
Post merged with an already existing one. -Foggy Great news for the entire internet. Everyone that isn't using opera should go download it. Now. I mean it. That's an order. Really though, it's for your own good.
Thank you, Indyan.
This is excellent a news 
The opera is the best of web browsers for me 
opera is fine. but nothing can make change my firefox it is the best browser.
Opera Means Speed
Means Free
------
I Thin k Fire Fox user 
------ Excellent news!!!
Another reason to stop using Internet Explorer.
Great news, although I've been using Opera for many years now anyway.
But won't this affekt the "Opera Copr." ?
I mean can they afford it ,without the loss of quality ?
opera seems pretty cool, im just gonna stick with firefox for the moment tho.
Opera is actually expecting an increase in revenue due to this in the long run.I had updated the article on my blog but forgot to edit it here.
| Quote: |
As far as I can see there are several other sources of revenue too.Some of them are
a)The search bar.Everytime someone searches in Google using Opera's search toolbar Opera makes money.Recently they have revised their contract with Google.The extended contract with Google
includes a search revenue deal, marketing support and
technical cooperation. Opera expects this contract to
increase the revenue per user.
b) Opera is reselling slipstream.
c) You can still buy Opera for 29$ in order to get premium support.
d) I believe recently they have entered into a partnership with about.com.This may be a source of some revenue too.
e) The already have an partnership with Adobe.
During the first half of 2005, 30% of Opera`s desktop
revenue was generated by selling advertising displayed in the integrated ad banner, 25% by licensing sales and 45% by Google search and other affiliate partners. Users have had the option of removing the ad banner and receiving support for a fee of US$39. |
not much revenue actually goes to Opera when they are selling it actually...i think they are depending on the Opera Mobile software to generate income actually...anyway, try out Opera Mini, it's great too!
also, for any future Opera users, pls visit this link to know the power of opera:
http://operalover.tntluoma.com/8/ I am also writing a tweaking guide on opera 
Excellent news for us.
I will download and try it. I never use Opera before. 
great news....awesome browser!
I've been looking for a fast browser for much time, so I'll give Opera a try! yes
we have another new browser to use now
it is great
I've been using opera for a while now and I love it.
I'll love it too, it is a fantastic browser!! But I stay with Avant Browser 'cause of the many good options!
www.avantbrowser.com Well, we all love Opera. Let's make the world love it too.
I suggest a few of us get together in cyberspace,
hook up some gurus from my.opera.com
and write a simple, colorful and focused site
and call it spreadOpera.com.
Don't take me wrong, I'm not going through
mozilla.org's dirty laundry. It's just simple.
Reading spreadFirefox.com I can see people
willing to speak up about opera. my.opera.com
is a bit too general to be similar to spreadfirefox.
We need to make clear why and where opera rules,
and make those 2.4 million downloads into 24!
Anyone with me?
It used to be free. Then they added ads to free version. Now it is free again. Don't know what is the business plan.
Opera was never free.
Until version 5, Opera didn't have a free version of its desktop browser. In the year 2000, however, it introduced the free version with ads.And now they have removed that ads too.
