Opera, the Norwegian browser company, are perhaps the Apple of the browser market, always “thinking different”. Their new technology released on 16 June, called Opera Unite, has audaciously been dubbed as Web 5.0 by the CEO.
But on taking it out for a spin, the smirks and raised eyebrows dry up.
Opera Unite is a technology built into the Web browser that makes it possible to share data — including files, photos, music — on your computer directly from your browser. So basically, share photos with friends without having to sign up for a Flickr-type service, access your music remotely, share files with friends, have them leave messages for you directly on your computer, host a chat directly on your computer without needing a third-party service…. Heck, you can even turn your computer into a Web server and host your own Website on it!
Developers are encouraged to build applications (services) that use the Unite platform using Web standards like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX and SVG. At present a limited number of services are offered by Opera, and the advantage of the platform is that any application served on the Opera Unite platform will be accessible from any modern browser. The implications of the technology are quite significant: it will eliminate the need for the middlemen who provide the infrastructure and technology to host Web services.
Opera Unite is sandboxed and secure. This means people your share with cannot mess around with your computer. All it needs is a computer running Windows, Mac or Linux, and the latest Opera 10 beta built.
The technology is an alpha build now, and if you want to try it out, download the special build of the Opera 10 beta.
~PD
Some seriously freakish things have been happening to me lately — not the least of which is the complete disappearance of my post about my new Web template, Jan 004: Hey Kitty!.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, this a new Web template for download, created in honour of a friend’s birthday. Download it here. The usual conditions apply, which are: do what you want with it, but I’d really appreciate it if you left the credits intact.
Certain design compromises had to be made to make it render correctly on certain browsers, but there were no known bugs at the time of release. If you find any problems, do let me know.
Meanwhile, enjoy Hey Kitty!, and let’s hope the designs keep flowing.
~PD
E-mail scams. We’ve all had them, and while I do not know anyone stupid enough to fall for one, it seems that scammers often end up raking in handsome rewards. All I can say is, people idiotic enough to fall for these deserve it.
Take the latest one to make its way into my inbox. I wasn’t particularly surprised to find a mail from an eminent Indian historian with the subject line “Very Urgent”. Having worked with him in the past, I just assumed he was contacting me for work. My hopes were dashed, though, for this is what the mail said (original punctuation retained for added entertainment!):
Please, i am in a Critical situation right now which i will need your urgent response.Actually, I had an urgent trip to United Kingdom but unfortunately for me Armed Robbers attacked the hotel i lodged and all my money and some of my luggages was stolen .I had been so restless and hopeless because i have been without any money. All the Hotel telephone lines here got disconnected by the robbers and they are still trying to get them fixed so i only have access to emails, my mobile can’t work here so i didn’t bother to bring it.All i want you to do is to help me with some money,please kindly send me 1450 pounds, so i could pay my hotel bills and return home.I would refund it immediately i get home,please help me send it through Western Union Money Transfer because it is the fastest and safest way i can receive it.
Send it with my name and the address of the hotel below:
NAME: [...]
ADDRESS: [...]
CITY: Middlesex
COUNTRY: UK
ZIP CODE: TW2 7QT
I will be waiting for your help soon,i will really appreciate your quick response.
cheers
[...]
~PD
