Type of site | Social networking,email,help desk |
|---|---|
| Available in | 19 languages |
| Owner | Opera Software ASA |
| URL | my.opera.com |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | Yes |
| Launched | August 2001 |
| Current status | Defunct since 3 March 2014 |
My Opera was thevirtual community forOpera web browser users. It belonged toOpera Software ASA. In addition to being a support site for the Opera browser, My Opera worked like asocial networking site. It offered services such as blogs, photo albums, the free email service My Opera Mail and more.[1] My Opera was closed down on March 3, 2014.
The My Opera Community was launched in August 2001[2] as a simple support site for the browser, and the website had its first upgrade a month later on September 11.[3] On December 15, 2003, the website underwent an upgrade that allowed users to access more features.[4]
In September 2005, the My Opera Community added major improvements. During this upgrade, users were given access to photo albums, improved blogs (formerly journals), the ability to create custom groups, and 300MB[2] of free storage space. Improvements to blogging included the introduction of "mobile blogging" or blogging from amobile phone throughMMS.[5]
On March 8, 2007, Opera released a new version of the site.[6]
The new hardware for the 2006 upgrade was put to use for abeta test website on October 26, 2006. This website was intended to remain up even after the final install of the new hardware on the regular website. There are extensive plans for various subdomains on the My Opera site.[7]
On April 7, 2011, Opera released a freeemail service for all existing and new-joining My Opera users called My Opera Mail and powered by Opera'sFastMail.FM email platform.[8]
On October 31, 2013, the administrators of My Opera announced that the site would be closed down in March 2014.[9] The reasons given included the increased labor required to maintain the My Opera site and the growing popularity of alternative social media sites that provide a better service than the Opera team was able or willing to provide.[9]
A My Opera account was required to use the services. Every My Opera user got 2 GB of space forfile storage.[10]
There are several Operasubdomain sites that use an Opera account. These include:
Vivaldi.net is an alternative community site opened on 18 December 2013 byJon von Tetzchner, founder and former CEO of Opera Software. Jon von Tetzchner posted a personal welcome message where he explained his plan to provide a new community for My Opera's members.[19] Vivaldi.net offers its members features and services such as blogs, e-mail service, photo albums and forums. Vivaldi.net is not related to Opera Software; it eventually become the virtual community of the eponymousVivaldi web browser. A Vivaldi.net account is required for using the synchronization features of the browser.