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{{short description|Cross-platform, free and open-source web browser}}
{{Short description|Free and open source web browser}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = Otter Browser
| name = Otter Browser
| logo = Otter Browser Logo.svg
| logo = Otter Browser Logo.svg
| screenshot = Otter_Browser_(Breeze_style).png
| screenshot = Otter_Browser_(Breeze_style).png
| caption = Otter Browser using Breeze style on KDE Plasma 5
| caption = Otter Browser using Breeze style on KDE Plasma 5
| developer = Michał Dutkiewicz
| developer = Michał Dutkiewicz
| released = {{Start date and age|2014|01|01}}
| released = {{Start date and age|2014|01|01}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| latest preview version = <!-- {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q51930650}} -->
| latest preview version = <!-- {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q51930650}} -->
| latest preview date = <!-- {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}}} -->
| latest preview date = <!-- {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q24589743|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}}} -->
| programming language = [[C++]]
| programming language = [[C++]]
| operating system = [[Unix-like]] ([[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]], [[OpenBSD]]), [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]], [[RISC OS]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.riscository.com/2017/risc-os-developments-obrowser/ | title=RISC OS Developments release OBrowser as a fundraising initiative }}</ref> [[OS/2]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.os2world.com/cms/index.php/past-news/79-news/general/23242-timeline-announcement-for-public-beta-of-new-otter-browser|title=Timeline Announcement for Public Beta of New Otter Browser}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/otter-browser-os2/|title=Otter Browser aims to bring Chromium to decades-old OS/2 operating system|date=16 February 2022 }}</ref> ([[ArcaOS]])
| operating system = [[Unix-like]] ([[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]], [[OpenBSD]]), [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]], [[RISC OS]], [[ArcaOS]]
| included with =
| included with =
| engines = [[Qt WebEngine]], [[QtWebKit]]
| engines = [[QtWebEngine]], [[QtWebKit]]
| platform = [[Qt (framework)|Qt]]
| platform = [[Qt (framework)|Qt]]
| genre = [[Web browser]]
| genre = [[Web browser]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]
| website = {{URL|https://otter-browser.org}}
| website = {{URL|https://otter-browser.org}}
}}
}}
'''Otter Browser''' is a cross-platform [[web browser]] that aims to recreate aspects of [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] 12.x using the [[Qt (framework)|Qt framework]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wohlscheid |first=John |date=2016-06-29 |title=[Review] Otter Browser Brings Hope To Opera Lovers |url=https://itsfoss.com/otter-browser-review/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=It's FOSS |language=en}}</ref> Otter Browser is [[free and open-source software]] and is licensed under [[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]. It works on [[Linux]]-based operating systems, [[FreeBSD]], [[OpenBSD]], [[macOS]], [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]], [[RISC OS]], [[OS/2]], and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] platforms.


{{Portal|Free and open-source software|
'''Otter Browser''' is a cross-platform [[web browser]] that aims to recreate aspects of [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] 12.x using [[Qt (framework)|Qt framework]] while keeping seamless integration with users' desktop environments.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://otter-browser.org/ |title=Otter browser |publisher=Otter browser |date=2014-01-02 |access-date=2016-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTU1ODI |title=Opera-Like Otter Web Browser Out In Alpha Form|publisher=Phoronix |date=2016-06-03 |access-date=2016-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url =https://itsfoss.com/otter-browser-review/
}}
|title =Otter Browser Brings Hope To Opera Lovers |publisher =itsfoss.com |access-date =2019-01-02 }}</ref> Otter Browser is licensed under [[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]]. It works on [[Linux]]-based operating systems, [[FreeBSD]], [[OpenBSD]], [[macOS]], and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] platforms (others in development).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/opera-12-clone-otter-browser-beta-12-improves-kde-plasma-5-and-unity-integration-511487.shtml|title=Opera 12 Clone Otter Browser Beta 12 Improves KDE Plasma 5 and Unity Integration|last=Nestor|first=Marius|website=softpedia|date=3 January 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The author of the software, Michał Dutkiewicz, began work on Otter Browser in 2014 due to versions of Opera after Opera 12 not having Linux versions at the time and because he was dissatisfied with the changes made and features removed in builds after Opera 12.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2014-01-12 |title=The Otter browser project aims to recreate the classic Opera web browser - gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2014/01/12/otter-browser-project-aims-recreate-classic-opera-web-browser/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=gHacks Technology News |language=en-US}}</ref>
Following the decision by the board to change focus at [[Opera Software]]<ref>{{Cite web |url =https://launchpad.net/~otter-browser/+archive/ubuntu/release
|title =Otter Browser PPA (release) |publisher =launchpad.net |access-date =2019-01-02 }}</ref> towards quarterly profits, co-founder [[Jon von Tetzchner]] left the company. Opera then announced that it would switch from the [[Presto (layout engine)|Presto]] layout engine that it had developed to the [[WebKit]] rendering engine, also used by [[Chromium (web browser)|Google Chromium]] project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsfoss.com/otter-browser-review|title=[Review] Otter Browser Brings Hope To Opera Lovers|last=Wohlscheid|first=John Paul|date=2016-06-29|website=It's FOSS|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> It later followed Chrome again when it changed to the [[Blink (web engine)|Blink]] rendering engine. Around the same time, the Opera community website My Opera was closed down. The new Opera left many of its users disgruntled.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blink-based Opera 15 strikes a sour note with users|date=3 July 2013|url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/web-browsers/blink-based-opera-15-strikes-sour-note-users-222025|publisher=[[IDG]]|access-date=29 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rebuilt Opera Browser Arrives on Desktop With User Backlash|url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Opera-15-Blink-Sebastian-Baberowski-Chromium-Opera-Next,news-17131.html|publisher=[[Purch]]|access-date=29 July 2013}}</ref>


Early versions of the browser were released starting in January 2014 as an alpha.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2014-01-02 |title=Opera-Like Otter Web Browser Out In Alpha Form |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/MTU1ODI |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.phoronix.com |language=en}}</ref> The browser started out using [[QtWebEngine]] because Presto was closed source. The browser was designed to be modular and allow for customization, instead of being a 1:1 recreation of Opera.<ref name=":1" />
At this time, Michał Dutkiewicz began creating Otter Browser.<ref>{{Cite web |url =https://www.opennet.ru/opennews/art.shtml?num=48887
|title =Десятый кандидат в релизы браузера Otter |publisher =www.opennet.ru |access-date =2019-01-02 }}</ref>


Otter Browser was ported to RISC OS in 2019 as OBrowser, although it was noted that it did not behave like a standard RISC OS application.<ref>{{Cite web |last=H |first=Vince |date=2017-10-27 |title=RISC OS Developments release OBrowser as a fundraising initiative |url=https://www.riscository.com/2017/risc-os-developments-obrowser/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The first iteration of the browser was released in 2014—an alpha release in binary form and source code.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2014/01/12/otter-browser-project-aims-recreate-classic-opera-web-browser/|title=The Otter browser project aims to recreate the classic Opera web browser - gHacks Tech News|last=Brinkmann|first=Martin|date=2014|website=www.ghacks.net|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> A notable aspect of the emergent browser is its modular model, making it possible for users to replace components.<ref name=":0" />


The first stable release was released in 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2019-01-04 |title=Otter web browser Final released - gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2019/01/04/otter-web-browser-final-released/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=gHacks Technology News |language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

|+Version history of Otter Browser<ref name=":1" />
The browser and QT5 was ported to OS/2 in 2022 because the latest browser OS/2 could run was the outdated [[Firefox]] 49.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2022-02-18 |title=Chromium-adjacent Otter browser targets OS/2 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/18/chromium_based_otter_browser_targets_os2/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=2022-02-16 |title=Otter Browser aims to bring Chromium to decades-old OS/2 operating system |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/otter-browser-os2/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=XDA Developers |language=en}}</ref>
!scope="col"|Version
!scope="col"|Release date
|-
|Alpha 1
|January 1, 2014
|-
|Alpha 2
|February 1, 2014
|-
|Alpha 3
|March 1, 2014
|-
|Alpha 4
|April 1, 2014
|-
|Alpha 5
|May 1, 2014
|-
|Beta 1
|June 1, 2014
|-
|Beta 2
|August 1, 2014
|-
|Beta 3
|November 1, 2014
|-
|Beta 4
|January 1, 2015
|-
|Beta 5
|April 1, 2015
|-
|Beta 6
|June 1, 2015
|-
|Beta 7
|September 1, 2015
|-
|Beta 8
|December 1, 2015
|-
|Beta 9
|January 1, 2016
|-
|Beta 10
|May 1, 2016
|-
|Beta 11
|October 1, 2016
|-
|Beta 12
|January 1, 2017
|-
|RC4
|November 2, 2017
|-
|RC5
|February 1, 2018
|-
|RC6
|March 1, 2018
|-
|RC7
|April 1, 2018
|-
|RC8
|May 1, 2018
|-
|RC9
|June 1, 2018
|-
|RC10
|July 1, 2018
|-
|RC11
|August 1, 2018
|-
|RC12
|September 1, 2018
|-
|1.0.01
|January 1, 2019
|-
|1.0.02
|December 21, 2020
|-
|1.0.03
|February 22, 2022
|}


== Features ==
== Features ==
The browser currently runs on the QtWebEngine, which is a version of Blink, the web engine used by Chromium. The web browser was designed to have integration with the [[KDE Plasma]] and [[Unity (user interface)|Unity]] desktop environments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nestor |first=Marius |date=2017-01-03 |title=Opera 12 Clone Otter Browser Beta 12 Improves KDE Plasma 5 and Unity Integration |url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/opera-12-clone-otter-browser-beta-12-improves-kde-plasma-5-and-unity-integration-511487.shtml |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=softpedia |language=english}}</ref> Otter Browser has a built in [[News aggregator|feed reader]] for RSS and Atom,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-02 |title=Десятый кандидат в релизы браузера Otter |url=https://www.opennet.ru/opennews/art.shtml?num=48887 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.opennet.ru |language=ru}}</ref> note taking utility, and cookie management accessible from a sidebar. It also includes a built in content blocker<ref name=":2" /> and popup blocker, session management, password manager, bookmarking, userscript support, and privacy features such as do not track.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2016-10-05 |title=Revisiting Otter Browser: Beta 11 released - gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2016/10/05/revisiting-otter-browser-beta-11-released/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=gHacks Technology News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Password manager

* Addon manager
Tab grouping, form auto-complete, extensions support, and a [[mail client]] are planned to be implemented in future versions of the browser.<ref name=":2" />
* Content blocking

* Spell checking
== Reception ==
* Customisable GUI
Otter Browser has been well received. Praise has been brought towards its aim to recreate classic Opera features and modularity.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Praise was also given to its lightweight nature and navigable user interface. Some cons that have been noted are that the user interface may be ugly to some users as it does not support theming, it does not support extensions, and it may not have standout features compared to other browsers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diener |first=Derrik |date=2015-01-24 |title=Otter Browser - A QT-Based Browser with Classic Opera UI |url=https://www.maketecheasier.com/otter-browser-classic-opera-ui/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Make Tech Easier |language=en-US}}</ref>
* URL completion
* Speed dial
* Bookmarks and various related features
* Mouse gestures
* User style sheets


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Web browsers]]
[[Category:Free web browsers]]
[[Category:Internet suites]]
[[Category:Internet suites]]
[[Category:Software based on WebKit]]
[[Category:Web browsers that use Qt]]
[[Category:Web browsers that use Qt]]
[[Category:Linux software]]

{{Web-software-stub}}
[[Category:MacOS software]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:RISC OS software]]
[[Category:OS/2 software]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 5 May 2024

Otter Browser
Developer(s)Michał Dutkiewicz
Initial releaseJanuary 1, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-01-01)
Stable release
1.0.03[1] Edit this on Wikidata / 22 February 2022; 2 years ago (22 February 2022)
Repository
Written inC++
EnginesQtWebEngine, QtWebKit
Operating systemUnix-like (Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD), macOS, Microsoft Windows, Haiku, RISC OS, ArcaOS
PlatformQt
TypeWeb browser
LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
Websiteotter-browser.org

Otter Browser is a cross-platform web browser that aims to recreate aspects of Opera 12.x using the Qt framework.[2] Otter Browser is free and open-source software and is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later. It works on Linux-based operating systems, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, macOS, Haiku, RISC OS, OS/2, and Windows platforms.

History

[edit]

The author of the software, Michał Dutkiewicz, began work on Otter Browser in 2014 due to versions of Opera after Opera 12 not having Linux versions at the time and because he was dissatisfied with the changes made and features removed in builds after Opera 12.[3]

Early versions of the browser were released starting in January 2014 as an alpha.[4] The browser started out using QtWebEngine because Presto was closed source. The browser was designed to be modular and allow for customization, instead of being a 1:1 recreation of Opera.[3]

Otter Browser was ported to RISC OS in 2019 as OBrowser, although it was noted that it did not behave like a standard RISC OS application.[5]

The first stable release was released in 2019.[6]

The browser and QT5 was ported to OS/2 in 2022 because the latest browser OS/2 could run was the outdated Firefox 49.[7][8]

Features

[edit]

The browser currently runs on the QtWebEngine, which is a version of Blink, the web engine used by Chromium. The web browser was designed to have integration with the KDE Plasma and Unity desktop environments.[9] Otter Browser has a built in feed reader for RSS and Atom,[10] note taking utility, and cookie management accessible from a sidebar. It also includes a built in content blocker[6] and popup blocker, session management, password manager, bookmarking, userscript support, and privacy features such as do not track.[3][11]

Tab grouping, form auto-complete, extensions support, and a mail client are planned to be implemented in future versions of the browser.[6]

Reception

[edit]

Otter Browser has been well received. Praise has been brought towards its aim to recreate classic Opera features and modularity.[2][3] Praise was also given to its lightweight nature and navigable user interface. Some cons that have been noted are that the user interface may be ugly to some users as it does not support theming, it does not support extensions, and it may not have standout features compared to other browsers.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://github.com/OtterBrowser/otter-browser/blob/master/CHANGELOG. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ a b Wohlscheid, John (2016-06-29). "[Review] Otter Browser Brings Hope To Opera Lovers". It's FOSS. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  3. ^ a b c d Brinkmann, Martin (2014-01-12). "The Otter browser project aims to recreate the classic Opera web browser - gHacks Tech News". gHacks Technology News. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  4. ^ Larabel, Michael (2014-01-02). "Opera-Like Otter Web Browser Out In Alpha Form". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  5. ^ H, Vince (2017-10-27). "RISC OS Developments release OBrowser as a fundraising initiative". Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  6. ^ a b c Brinkmann, Martin (2019-01-04). "Otter web browser Final released - gHacks Tech News". gHacks Technology News. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  7. ^ Sharwood, Simon (2022-02-18). "Chromium-adjacent Otter browser targets OS/2". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  8. ^ Davenport, Corbin (2022-02-16). "Otter Browser aims to bring Chromium to decades-old OS/2 operating system". XDA Developers. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  9. ^ Nestor, Marius (2017-01-03). "Opera 12 Clone Otter Browser Beta 12 Improves KDE Plasma 5 and Unity Integration". softpedia. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  10. ^ "Десятый кандидат в релизы браузера Otter". www.opennet.ru (in Russian). 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  11. ^ Brinkmann, Martin (2016-10-05). "Revisiting Otter Browser: Beta 11 released - gHacks Tech News". gHacks Technology News. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  12. ^ Diener, Derrik (2015-01-24). "Otter Browser - A QT-Based Browser with Classic Opera UI". Make Tech Easier. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
[edit]
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