A good way to test a new browser is to install the portable version of it and run it for a while to test it. The advantage of this method over installing it directly is that it does not interfere with the system configuration in any way. No need to worry that the new browser is suddenly the standard browser or used to display all kind of files on the system.
Most readers of my blog probably already know the website that is offering portable versions ofFirefox which comes in handy if a user wanted to test the new Firefox 3 browser without overwriting his precious Firefox 2 configuration.
The portable version of Opera is called Opera @ USB and provides the same advantages. The USB version does not interfere with other browsers including other versions of Opera. It leaves (almost) no traces on the system if the directory is deleted after testing it.
Portable browsers are also a great way to access the Internet in Internet Cafes and on other public computers. This version is only available for Windows users.
Related posts:
- Opera 10 Portable
- Firefox 3.5 Portable
- Firefox 3 Final Portable
- Opera 9.5 Alpha released
- Opera 9.5 beta is out
- Firefox 3.6 And Thunderbird 3.01 Portable [Software]
- Opera 9.22 available on ftp
- Test Firefox 3 without interfering with Firefox 2
There is also another nice option, so called “Opera Portable.” It is available at: http://www.kejut.com/operaportable
It runs just the same of Opera@USB, but additionally it has another version that has the ability to run from a non-writable media device (i.e., LAN shares, CD/DVDs, etc).
It’s always nice to have options! (P.S. – at the time of this writing, the authors have yet to update it to version 9.5 – be patient, it’s worth checking out!)