Opera

Opera Unite is a form of collaboration technology that allows you to share data such as files or photos with other users, directly from your computer . You can also communicate directly with others by hosting chat sessions or posting notes. The technology behind Opera Unite uses a compact server inside the Opera desktop browser to share data and applications. With Opera Unite, there is no need to waste time uploading content you want to share. You share the content directly from your computer rather than loading it and sharing it through a third-party server.

To use Opera Unite to share your content or to collaborate, you need the following things:

• An Opera build with Opera Unite from www.opera.com.
• An Opera account, for instance, for My Opera, dev.opera.com (Opera's developer community resource site), or if you use Opera Link. If you do not have an account, you can create one when you enable Opera Unite or start an application for the first time. You can only use your existing account details if your username does not contain any symbols or spaces.

No. Your friends can use any modern browser to access your data or collaborate. You can also access your own content from another computer with a different browser; you only need to use the Opera browser to host and run Opera Unite applications. A few applications, however, may be specifically designed to provide value to Opera desktop users, for example, Messenger.

You can run Opera Unite on all platforms supported by the Opera browser, including Windows, Unix, and Mac.

Refer to the steps in the "Opera Unite user guide" or view the Getting started video at the top right of this page.

Yes. Opera Unite is based on common Web technologies like HTML and JavaScript. When building Opera Unite, we sought to use documented open Web standards wherever possible. This ensures that Opera Unite applications can easily be created using the techniques Web developers use every day. In addition, during the development of the technology we have made various key parts available for standardization. One example is the file I/O object, which Opera published and submitted to W3C. W3C is now in the process of starting a group which would standardize it, and it has already been taken up by BONDI and similar efforts.

The Opera Unite server is located in your Opera browser on your computer as part of Opera Unite. A proxy server is used when no direct connection is established and this proxy server is currently located in Norway. No data is stored on any Opera-owned servers.

A lot of work has gone into making Opera Unite easy and simple enough for anyone to use, not only for installing and setting up applications, but also for creating an easy way for people to interact. Although some operating systems have included Web servers for a long time, the complexity involved in setting these up and using them has meant that they were only used by technically-experienced developers and not the average Web user. Opera Unite is aimed at a wider target audience and offers the ability to share data directly from a computer to all by offering a browser feature that is enabled with a simple login and that is easy and quick to use, without any complex configuration or set up.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) applications rely on all users of a given application sharing the data to all other users. An example of this is the BitTorrent client built into Opera. While you download something on BitTorrent you also make it available for others, sharing the overall load amongst everyone who wants to download that content.

Opera Unite is a standard Web server. People connect to applications or content on your Opera Unite server, and communicate, view or download that content directly from your computer without distributing it to others. While Opera Unite currently focuses on sharing data directly with other users, a distributed hosting model is within the possibilities of what developers can do with Opera Unite applications.

Opera Unite applications allow you to extend the capabilities of your browser to share your content. Applications range from social-networking tools for posting messages or holding chat sessions to tools for sharing content like files or photos. It is quick and easy to share your content with your friends – there is no need to upload anything. They can access the files directly from your computer.

Each Opera Unite application is different. Applications for sharing content have a settings tab. As the owner running the application, you use this tab to manage and customize it. When your friends access content or communicate via the application, they do not see the settings tab.

Note: Please respect artists. Only share content if you have the right to do so.

There are several kinds of applications available, and more will be available in the applications catalog. The following applications are preinstalled in Opera Unite:

• Opera Unite Home: An overview that lists all the applications you are running, activity information, and also shows the applications others are running.


• File Sharing: Share files directly from your computer easily and safely.


• Fridge: Enjoy fun notes left on your computer by friends.


• Photo Sharing: Share your personal photos with friends around the world without the need to upload them.


• Media Player: Access your complete home music library from wherever you are.


• Web Server: Host your Web sites directly from your own computer.


• Messenger: Communicate with your friends in My Opera in a one-to-one, live session.

Important: To ensure the security of your content and protect your privacy, only install new applications from the Opera Unite site, as these are reviewed by Opera.

Anyone can make Opera Unite applications. Applications can be made by developers from all over the world. Some are made by Opera Software.

Opera Unite applications are made using standard Web technologies, such as HTML , CSS, JavaScript, SVG, and AJAX.

Note: Some of the new APIs are still experimental and are yet to be standardized. Expect some API changes as the specifications and implementations mature.

Yes. In the Unite panel, click "Add" and select an application. You can also run multiple applications. You may, for example, want to run several Photo Sharing applications for different photo albums with different levels of access.

Yes. Go to http://unite.opera.com and install the existing application again. This prompts you to upgrade if the application has been updated to a newer version.

No. All applications published on http://unite.opera.com are absolutely free of charge to download and install. Third-party developers could potentially charge for applications they create and distribute themselves on other sites.

It is your responsibility to comply with your local laws regarding file sharing and the different types of licenses that may apply. Illegal file sharing is illegal regardless of what application or service you are using. We respect artists and encourage our users to support them. Only share content if you have the right to do so. If we are made aware of any infringements, we have the right to prevent access and use of services. For more details, please read the Terms of service.

No, because you are sharing data that is stored on your computer, rather than uploading it to be stored elsewhere, you can share as much data as you wish. The only considerations may be overall bandwidth capacity, and how incoming traffic impacts the running of your computer when your friends access a lot of your content. If you want to limit the amount of bandwidth that Opera Unite uses, display the Opera Unite menu, then select "Configure" and "Advanced Settings". Change the default setting of "Unlimited" to the number of kilobytes you want Opera Unite to load per second. For tips on changing other settings using opera:config for Opera Unite, see the blog post: Some Opera Unite preference settings.

Opera Unite runs in a "secured sandbox", where only the files or folders you select can be accessed; nothing else on your computer is accessible to anyone else. You grant access to specified files, such as a directory of data you want to share, without allowing access to anything outside the specified area. This is a common feature in Web servers, and keeping data secure has been well-understood for a long time.

Opera's outstanding record of maintaining a secure browser, combined with our extensive testing throughout the development of this product over a long time makes us extremely confident in its security. However, as with all products exposed to the Web, you should always keep your Opera browser up to date. As well as Opera Unite, the full release version 10 of the Opera browser will include an auto update feature, making it easy to ensure you have the latest and most secure version of Opera running at all times. If you do have any concerns, you may wish to follow the tips in our Security and Privacy tutorial.

A detailed walkthrough of Opera Unite applications and widget security is coming soon.

Opera Unite uses the HTTP protocol for data sharing. This is the standard way that browsers get content on the Web, so your data is accessible to any Web browser.

No, Opera Software does not claim any rights over the content on your computer. This is the fundamental basis of Opera Unite - your content and collaboration, under your control. The Terms and Conditions you agree to when you create an account are there to ensure a good online experience for all, including security and privacy. The clause that refers to "uploading" does not relate to content on your computer that you share using Opera Unite, as this content is not uploaded to Opera’s site. Go to My Opera to see the full Terms and Conditions.

No. Opera does not keep any record of the kind of data you share. If you share data publicly then it is open to search engines to index. To make sure your data is not indexed, see the steps in the "Opera Unite user guide — advanced settings section".

If someone knows your My Opera login and password, they can only compromise your My Opera content. They cannot access your Opera Unite applications or the folders you have chosen to share with Opera Unite, nor will they be able to access the rest of your hard disk drive. If you suspect that someone knows your My Opera login details, however, please contact the My Opera team immediately.

Get a new password here.

1. Make sure you have cookies enabled and try again.
2. If you still have problems, try deleting all your browser cookies. In Opera, go to the main menu > Tools > Delete Private Data.
3. If this does not help, request a new password.
4. If nothing helps, you can contact us.

Yes, you can log in to unite.opera.com using your existing My Opera account details as long as your username does not contain any symbols or spaces. If it does, you will need to create a new account to use Opera Unite.

The Opera account is needed to provide you with a simple link using our DNS server. Opera Unite was designed to offer a simple and easy way for people to share data and collaborate online. In line with this, we provided a simple and quick way to create a domain name. If you prefer to change the configuration to use your own custom domain name, refer to our article "Setting up custom domains for Opera Unite" on dev.opera.com. The Opera account also enables social networking support from the My Opera community.

Yes, you can set up your own domain names for Opera Unite applications rather than use the default name assigned by Opera. See the article "Setting up custom domains for Opera Unite" on dev.opera.com.

To change the files listed in an Opera Unite application, right-click the application in the panel and change the file location in "Properties". Be aware that anyone currently using this application to view or download content may be disconnected when you change the file location.

If you have a network or proxy server problem, the Opera Unite icon on the status bar displays a warning symbol . When this happens, click the Opera Unite icon and select "Show Status" from the menu. Select "Restart Opera Unite" to reestablish the connection.

"UPnP" means Universal Plug and Play, which allows you to share your data using direct connections to your computer, if available. For more information about this setting, see the "Opera Unite user guide — advanced settings section".

No you do not need to have one. When you start using Opera Unite, we generate a URL for you at our Domain Name Server (DNS). This adheres to the following format: http://[device name].[user name].operaunite.com.

Alternatively, you are welcome to use your own DNS server or even your static IP address. To get more details on this, refer to our detailed article "Setting up custom domains for Opera Unite" on dev.opera.com.

No. Opera Unite applications can use JavaScript as a server-side customization tool. Opera Unite is not designed to replace professional Web servers, but to make it easy for people to share content and communicate without the technical knowledge required to run a server, let alone program in PHP.

The simple answer is - only if your employer allows it. Normally it will work fine, unless your employer has blocked access to Opera Unite.

You can discuss Opera Unite on the Opera Unite applications forum, in an IRC chat at #unite@irc.opera.com, and you can also refer to the Opera Unite blog.

You can suggest your idea on the forum to Share your Opera Unite dream.

You can post a feature request as a comment on the application details page. To view the details page for an application, go to the applications catalog and click the More details link for that application. As an example, the application details page for the Media Player is http://unite.opera.com/application/162/.

Before you report a problem:

• On the application details page, under the Install application button, click the link marked "(number) issues". A list of existing issues displays. Read through the list to see if anyone has already reported the same bug. If the bug has been listed, do not report it.
• Check if you have the latest version of the application. The issue might have been fixed in a later version. To ensure you have the latest version, go to the Opera Unite application catalog, select the application, and click "Install application". Opera Unite detects that you already have this application and, if there is a later version, displays a dialog with the option "Upgrade existing Opera Unite application" preselected. Click "OK" to upgrade.

If you have the latest version, and the bug has not been reported:

1. Go to the details page for the application.
2. Click the "Report a problem" link.
3. Fill in a short title, summarizing the problem.
4. In the text box, describe the problem in as much detail as you can. Describe what you were doing when the bug occurred – for example, what you were clicking or filling in. Supply any error messages you received. Specify which Opera version, platform, and device on which you were running the application.
5. Review your information to check it.
6. Check the field stating that you have looked through already reported bugs.
7. Click the Submit button. Issues that you report are shown in a link at the top marked "Reported issues" .

The author of the application fixes the bugs. This means that it may take some time before an issue is resolved. Opera Software does not fix bugs in applications published by external parties.