Thanks for your thoughts webfork. You raise some good points, and I'll attempt to answer these in sections.
webfork wrote:Who's maintaining the old version? Do the plugins work?
Opera has discontinued support for the Presto version, however they keep all previous versions available from the official site, and were releasing point updates for security until about six months ago. All the addons for v12 still work (and often being maintained) from the official site, and can be found with a Google search.
webfork wrote:Admittedly we're linking to PortableApps who's is hosting v.12, but they have a DEV version of the Blink version posted to that site (
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/opera_portable) and it seems unlikely they'll maintain the old version once the new version gets out of beta.
Haven't heard of the PortableApps.com Blink version, but it's a valid point. Although the 12.17 version is still the current download and has been for the longest time.
webfork wrote:- Reason 1: We need to split the comments section up to correspond with what is a fundamentally different browser
- While true, this is something Andrew would have to do and I'm not sure he's willing to do that. I suspect splitting entry comments is a non-simple procedure.
Since Opera 15 (Blink) was released the comments have centered both around the desire for a split and in general continuing to focus around v12, both with sensible and not so sensible comments and arguments. In all 18 from my count, from when the Blink version released.
However my proposal wasn't necessarily to split the comments section, but to leave the vast amount of previous, useful comments for the Presto version in tact and create a new entry for the Blink version, where it can fairly receive comments not mixed in with Presto user comments.
In fact this continues to be an issue on Opera's own forum, where many of the posts to this day are still questions about Opera Presto, or regarding the lack of x feature in the Blink version. Even having deleted the original forum they're now having to consider a Presto-only section.
webfork wrote:Reason 2: The old version is fundamentally better (with stuff like the cool feed reader)
- As implied above, I'm a little worried about security for what's now a fairly old browser and the fact that the Blink engine is now the most popular. Old Opera may be better but to whom and why? If we can't say that clearly and succinctly in an entry, we shouldn't list it.
Opera Presto has a list of unique features that aren't available natively in other browsers even with addons in various cases (and certainly aren't available in the Blink version). Users in every forum I've been part of have been vocal with their support and praise of the browser, as well as the lack of ideal substitutes. The current entry itself has users expressing this, although not always clearly.
As for being discontinued, it's a valid point. However there are numerous apps in the database that haven't been updated in years, including some internet clients: OperaTor, xB Browser, Ghostzilla, and others. The entries of all these reflects this with a note.
webfork wrote:Reason 2:Just renaming it Opera/Opera (Blink) and Opera (Presto) will make sense to visitors
- I'd have to post a pretty intense disclaimer/notice to prevent confusion. Nobody that's not fairly technical or a web developer knows the difference between Presto and Blink, much less has an opinion.
[/list]
The Blink version would simply be 'Opera', as it's the current browser. The Presto version would have a description to note it's the older version/engine. Those looking for Opera 12 (as it's commonly known, I refer to it by the Presto engine as it actually covers all previous versions as well) would be able to download and discuss the browser it a separate entry, which myself and other users here have suggested is better than the current single entry.
Hopefully there can be some consensus on the entry as I believe it would benefit both users of the Blink and Presto versions. TBH I didn't come to thinking of two entries with an overwhelming desire or anything, but based on the existing feedback, comments section, and the fact they are effectively two individual browsers it seemed worthwhile
.
Edit wrote:(Added additional info)