So it occurred to me that if Ultrawidify is going to feature a throwaway statement about how Opera browser can piss off, I should probably elaborate on why.
You are probably aware that most internet browsers nowdays are just a Chrome reskins. To be more specific: they take Google Chrome0, take the bit of Chrome that decides how websites appear on your monitor, and add some extra things on top of that.
Because underlaying technology is largely the same, Chrome extensions can run in Chrome reskins, such as Opera and Brave without problems. However, Chrome reskins can (and sometimes do) vary from Google Chrome in small but, for Ultrawidify at least, pretty important ways.
- Each browser implements DRM-protected videos differently.
For example, few years ago, video playback on Netflix, et. al. was broken only in MS Edge. Google Chrome proper was unaffected. - Chrome-based browsers may be based on an older version of Chrome(ium) than contemporary Chrome.
Opera especially is notable for being a few versions behind Chrome. This can be good or bad, depending on whether Chrome is introducing or fixing a bug that causes video to become stretched after zooming in.
Because of this, I publish Ultrawidify to the extension store of each major browser. I would also prefer if users install Ultrawidify from browser’s native extension store. If you use Firefox, you should install Ultrawidify from AMO. If you use Google Chrome, you should install Ultrawidify from Chrome Web Store. If you use Edge, you should install Ultrawidify from Edge’s extension store.
There were times where Microsoft Edge Addons received a different version of Ultrawidify than Chrome due to tiny differences that don’t matter for most people, but matter a lot for Ultrawidify.
… and I would have strongly preferred if Opera users installed Ultrawidify from Opera Addons page, however:
- The last time I bothered submitting Ultrawidify to Opera Addons was on January 13th, 2021
- The addon was neither accepted nor rejected by the moderation team, and is still stuck in “awaiting moderation” limbo more than three years later
- The first time I tried submitting to Opera Addons was in March 2020.
- Store moderation team never bothered reviewing any of the previous versions, either.
Which is why I’m not even going to pretend. I don’t support Opera.
What this means for Opera users
Most of the time: nothing. If something doesn’t work correctly, you’re still free to report a bug (and please do). Most of the time, the thing that doesn’t work will be my fault, and will be broken across all browsers. Historically, this has been the case most of the time.
But not always.
And on the small but non-zero chance the issue only effects Opera …
Please consider using a browser that isn’t garbage.