10+ handy Opera 11 extensions

10+ handy Opera 11 extensions: "

Filed under: Features, Browsers, Lists

Opera 11 has finally joined the likes of Firefox, Chrome, and Safari in offering easy extensibility via extensions. While the list of available Opera extensions is comparatively short at the moment, there are already more than 100 to choose from -- and several that are quite handy.



You'll need Opera 11 installed to use these, of course. Grab a current snapshot build, as a number of extension-related issues have been fixed since the initial Opera 11 preview.



Now without further ado, let's jump in!

Translate (pictured)

A good number of extensions aim to add functionality from other browsers -- like Google Chrome's auto-translate feature. Translate (unsurprisingly) brings that functionality to Opera 11. Visit a page in a language other than your default (which you can set via a drop-down) and a toolbar offering to translate it appears.

Documents Preview

Want to open supported files using Google's Web-based viewer instead of downloading them to your machine? Install Documents Preview, and .DOC, .PDF, and .PPT files will open right inside Opera 11.

Image Preview

Regardless of which browser I'm using, I like to have an extension installed that displays larger versions of image thumbnails when I hover over them. For Opera 11, image preview is the way to go.

Weather Forecast

In keeping with the easy-to-understand naming employed by the previous three extensions, Weather Forecast brings you up-to-the-minute info right in your toolbar. The drop-down provides the short-range forecast, shows sunrise and sunset times, and allows you to switch between multiple cities.

Snap Links

A favorite extension for Firefox, Snap Links for Opera offers the same functionality: click and drag a selection box around a group of links, and Opera will open them all in background tabs.

NoAds

It seems like whenever we write up some Opera news, there's always one commenter saying 'until there's AdBlock for Opera, I'd never consider switching.' In truth, Opera has a pretty excellent way to block ads out-of-the-box, but now there's an actual extension for those who want it.

NotScripts

The second part of the powerfully geeky one-two browser extension punch, NotScripts brings (you guessed it!) NoScript's functionality to Opera 11. This one's also available as a Chrome extension from the same developer, which we've got to think means it's a fairly trivial task to port an extension from Chrome to Opera.

To-Read Sites

Services like Read it Later are a popular way to maintain a queue of items you just don't have time to dive into right now. To-Read Sites is an in-browser option -- no registration or log-in required.

Opera-to-Phone

Push-to-device extensions are all the rage -- Android users who browse with Opera on their desktop will want to pick up OTP. Unless, of course, you're already rocking the Opera Mobile for Android beta and using Link (sync).

Mini Wolfram Alpha

All the geeky computational goodness of Wolfram Alpha without having to leave your current tab.

Taskboard

This extension loads the extremely slick, HTML5-powered 10K Apart app in a handy drop-down menu. It's a great way to keep a list of things you need to do close at hand.

Redirect to HTTPS

Blah blah Firesheep blah blah SSL. But seriously... It's a good idea to browse certain sites like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and the like via HTTPS whenever possible. Adding this extension to Opera 11 will redirect you on supported sites -- hopefully the developer will allow us to add our own sites in a future release.

Stumbleupon

For those who enjoy random discoveries, StumbleUpon has already released an official extension for Opera 11. It's the same great Web-based meandering experience it's always been on other browsers.





Got a favorite Opera 11 extension already? Share it in the comments!

10+ handy Opera 11 extensions originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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