Opera Press Release

Opera 4.0 Upgrades File Exchange: Includes HTTP 1.1

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol 1.1

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the set of rules for exchanging files on the Web. Recently the HTTP protocol was "upgraded" or expanded. HTTP 1.1 is the name of the latest version and it is included in Opera 4.0.

Doing more, doing it faster

Who cares that the language of Web communication is changing? You do -- Because this version of HTTP provides higher end-user performance. It does more and it does it faster. This is great for web surfers and especially good for Opera users, because Opera 4.0 has HTTP 1.1.

Prevents eavesdropping of passwords

It is also more secure. HTTP 1.1 is more secure because while you authenticate yourself, it does not allow eavesdropping. This is an important step, increasing security on the web.

Give me something faster

Security is great. I'm glad my passwords aren't being passed around. Yes, and Opera is very secure (we'll save that for another time). But, give me something that increases my document-loading rate and I'm one seriously happy camper. That's why I love Opera, and Opera with HTTP 1.1 is even faster.

HTTP 1.1 is faster because it allows persistent connections. Persistent connections benefit networks and end-users. HTTP 1.1 increases performance by allowing persistent connections; pipelining, caching, and IP address preservation.

benefiting the Internet population

Network advantages are definitely a bonus to the population as a whole. By decreasing the burden on the Internet, HTTP 1.1 releases resources serving everyone more efficiently. Resources like routers, hosts, servers, proxies, gateways, tunnels or caches and memory.

Directly benefiting the user (me)

I may be selfish but I personally like the bonuses that directly benefit me. HTTP 1.1 has them. Http 1.1 increases my page loading speed. The increases you and I see are through items like pipelining, chunking and caching. They're also really cool words. They even sound faster.

Pipelining allows Opera to make multiple requests without waiting for an answer. Basically it is the difference between calling someone multiple times asking for different items versus calling once with a list. A list is obviously more efficient!

Chunking is the splitting up of documents. Once chunked the document can be sent over a persistent connection through a pipeline. Each chunk is a known length so by splitting up the document in chunks even documents that have no known length can be sent.

headers used for cache verification have been expanded

There is more cache control. Opera is served more details. These details expand the caching capabilities because they allow more information to be held. Information like how old a document is, how long before it should be refreshed, or if it should be checked every time. With these abilities the efficiency of caching is increased, serving the user (you and me) better.

HTTP 1.1 Under the Hood

HTTP 1.1 has furthered the speed of Opera. Opera is serving you documents faster, and with HTTP 1.1 increasing the general efficiency of the Web. It is relieving congestion and utilizing better methods of caching. Additionally, it is providing a little extra security when sending your passwords. HTTP 1.1 is a great item to have under the hood in Opera 4.0.

PR Contacts

Norway:
Tor Odland
Communications Director
Tel: +47 2416 4242
Email: toro[at]opera.com

United States:
Michelle Valdivia Lien
Communications Manager
Tel: +1 786 208 6072
Email: michelle[at]opera.com

Japan:
Kaori Kotobuki
Communications Manager
Tel: +81 3 57 68 82 24
Email: kaorik[at]opera.com

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