Simply the Best Browser for Linux

Opera unleashes final version of Opera 5 for Linux

Oslo, Norway - May 15, 2001

Opera Software today launched Opera 5.0 for Linux, providing the Linux community with a fast, full-featured and stable Web browser for the first time. Opera 5 for Linux offers an Internet experience for the Linux platform as hassle-free as on Windows. Today's release affirms Opera Software's leadership in cross-platform browser development.

In addition to the usual Opera features such as speed, size, and stability, users will find exciting features not yet implemented in the Windows version. The extensive customization possibilities for user settings, additional drag-and-drop features and the Hotlist search function are features only available in the Linux version.

"The Linux community has long craved for a state-of-the-art Web browser, and today Opera fills that void," says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "In light of the consistent praise we've received from the Linux community for our beta releases of Opera for Linux, we firmly believe that this is simply the best browser for Linux, reflecting the fact that Opera is the leader in browser technology on the Linux platform."

Opera for Linux was already ranked the best browser in Linux trade publications around the world in its alpha and beta-stages, and thousands of enthusiastic Linux users have already downloaded and battle-tested the browser.

"I am greatly impressed with the speed and power of the Opera browser," said Haavard Nord, CEO of Trolltech. "The release of Opera on Linux is a major benefit for this market. We are very pleased Opera chose our software development framework, Qt, to build such a fine product."

Opera 5 for Linux supports the following technologies:

Fast rendering of pages. Opera is the fastest full-featured browser on the market today.
Instant toggling of image and documents settings. For even faster browsing, images can be turned on/off with just the press of a key.
Extensive drag-and-drop features familiar to Linux users.
Easy keyboard navigation and early implementation of Opera's unique mouse gestures.
Multiple windows support.
Resume interrupted download sessions.
Small size. Opera is only a 1,5 MB download with Qt dynamically linked, and 3 MB with Qt statically linked.
High quality zooming. Opera can zoom in on a page up to 1000%.
A powerful search capability with the added possibility of searching the user's own Hotlist. In the search feature, users can easily migrate between the most popular search engines, and search for terms, domain names, audio/Mp3s, images, video, stock quotes, books or company information.

Opera continues its commitment to the standards as laid out by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Opera 5.0 for Linux supports the following technologies: 128-bit encryption, TLS 1.0, SSL 2 and 3, CSS1 and CSS2, XML, HTML 4.01, HTTP 1.1, ECMAScript, JavaScript 1.3, partial DOM and WAP/ WML. Support for Netscape plug-ins will be released in the weeks to come.

As with Opera 5 for Windows, Linux users can download this version for free in an ad-sponsored version or opt to register their copy for $39. Opera 5 for Linux can be downloaded from www.opera.com

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About Opera Software

Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browsers for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering with companies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson, Sharp and Lineo (now a division of Embedix). The Opera browser has received international recognition from end users and the industry press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than other browsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac, Linux/Solaris, OS/2, Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a privately held company headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 250 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.