Opera Unite: a cloud-based promise to 'reinvent the web,' again
By Thomas Ricker 
posted June 16th 2009 3:57AM
posted June 16th 2009 3:57AM
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- File sharing -- securely share files direct from your computer
- Web server -- turns your home computer into a web server via Opera Unite URL
- Media player -- direct link to your music collection from any web browser
- Photo sharing -- shares your image library over the web without requiring a photo service
- Lounge -- self-contained chat service running on your computer
- Fridge -- a place where friends and family can post notes
Read -- Download
Read -- Opera Unite press release
I'll wait to hear what security issues arise before I open up my computer to this. And the video has to be lying. Your files are making a pit stop on their servers before it goes to its destination. It's hard enough to configure an apache server or IIS to open up to the world when your ISP prevents you from running servers. So I imagine that they ARE the server. Too much firewall/privileges nightmare for it to work the way they say.
The media sharing capabilities with friends etc already exist via a third-party software which works with every browser out there, opera or not : www.weezo.com .
http://www.weezo.net actually ;-)
This really looks kickass. It also looks too late. I can already do this stuff, albeit through separate applications and services, and I have no intention of getting rid of my various accounts and software for the sake of starting anew and alienating any of my family, friends, etc. who don't use Opera.
Also, I use StumbleUpon too much to even consider switching to a browser that doesn't support it.
Enjoy your unencrypted data transfer! No protection on your info as it floats between Opera, their servers, and your friends.
The data doesn't go through their servers I think.
In the end I think I'll be safe enough if aliens or foreign agents or big brother or the kid in the basement down the street sees the pics I took of the bird on the lawn that I thought my mom would like.
I don't see where opera implied it's a good idea to pass your credit card info or lists of foreign numbered bank accounts.
I downloaded it and I really like it. I've never used the Opera browser since I've always used FF. I think I may stick with Opera.
Hey all I put together a little guide to OperaUnite on my blog. Thanks ...
This is pretty cool and a nice addition I think.
Many here have said it's just a simple server.
That's true... but what is nice is that it seems opera is running a server to direct to your current IP.
That's a nice boon for free for most people and is the piece of the picture missing for most who would just like to simple serve from a normal broadband user account via a home machine.
These accounts are almost always dynamic IP unless you pay some good bit extra.
I'm not even sure static IP comes gratis with business accounts. ?????
I've seen some say you can't have multiple folders for different people for pics, etc...
Just install the specific service again (pics say or whatever) and one of the choices is to duplicate that service... so you can name that new incarnation of the service itself as you like and then choose its folder to serve from.
Et Voila - multiple pic or file sharing or whatever for different family members or friends (or enemies I suppose).
I am assuming they give some different controls or something for pics or media or 'files' ... ???
Don't know... haven't looked yet.
All in all I think it is handy and am surprised to see so many crabbing about something given for free.
If you're too cool for school, but not so cool that you can resist talking about how cool you are... then you should reassess your coolness level. There is a good chance you have overestimated.
- mike
The problem is that Opera Unite doesn't solve an existing problem: http://www.browserinsider.com/1/opera-unviels-unite