Opera Browser Creators Planning IPO

Iphtashu Fitz writes "Norwegian web browser developer Opera Software is reportedly planning an Initial Public Offering on the Oslo Stock Exchange next month. According to a press release issued today, Opera's revenue for the last quarter grew 108.7% and CEO Jon S. von Tetzchner stated that 'After developing and refining the technology and commercial side for nine years, Opera Software is now ready for public listing.' Opera has, according to CNET News, gained popularity in the past few months thanks, in part, to having ported their well-known browser to smartphones."

Comments

Opera

[MysteriousMystery]

Opera is a nice browser, but honestly how many people do you know that actually regged it? Most people are using the ad supported version. With the company going public it makes me wonder about how many ads and to what level the ads will be showing up in future releases. Instead of just a banner at the top maybe pop ups FROM Opera? Perhaps I'm just seeing things negatively but this certainly makes me wonder about the product. I will say it is nice to use on a Zaurus though.

Re:Opera

[gl4ss]

why does 'going public' always equate into 'after this they must try to bring in all the cash they can in and sell their souls to the devil too!'? you know they don't have to have a businessplan like that!

the more intresting news is that they made profit..

seriously, they're doing this to get some financial flexibility afaik, you can be more stiffed for maximum profit with private investors..

worthy?

[segment]

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, Opera earned 1.3 million kroner ($190,000), compared with a loss of 21.4 million kroner ($3.1 million) in the same period a year ago.

Not to bang the drum slowly here but if Netscape which was already paired with a money maker (or loser depending on your view) such as AOL, and it's pretty much a dead product nowadays, I wonder what Opera is thinking aside from making a quick dollar. Even if they made a measly $190k they lost $3.1 that will eventually have to be paid back if not done already.

Now, Opera is alright as a browser, but as it stands the majority of `quickie' users tend to be - dare I say it? - IE (l)users, and with Microsoft making it pretty much the first thing a new computer user sees, I wonder what is making Opera think they can compete with the (s/^/crooked/g) Microsoft 400lb Gorilla.

It's about time...

[tipiyano]

Opera gets some more recognition. I love the mouse gestures, image off browsing, autosave links for when you need to reboot the system but don't want to bookmark all the open pages and lots of other cool features.

Now only if they could get a search keyword highlight (like the google toolbar), I will stop using mozilla (which has a google toolbar lookalike).

My advice is this...

[D-Cypell]

Take your 108.7% increase, give the staff a nice bonus, and keep on developing.

Why is it that every tech firm thinks that making a profit means sell up as fast as possible? Why put yourselves in the hand of people that have no idea about your technology, company culture or internal standards and just expect you to keep turning profits at all costs?

Keep the money, keep your company and keep inovating.

Re:Why Pay?

[kannibal_klown]

I like Mozilla, and usually support free software, especially OSS, but I don't see what's so wrong about liking payware. It's not like I'm dirt poor, and can't afford the registration fee.

Free Software and Open Source software is great, but not every company is Microsoft; some are benigh or even benevolent. There's nothing wrong with paying for software if you like it more than the free alternatives.

Re:Amazing ...

[El]

Hint: ABC, NBC, and CBS also offer a "free to use" product.