Opera Browser Creators Planning IPO 368
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."
Opera (Score:5, Insightful)
worthy? (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
not a good idea (Score:3, Insightful)
Their board will get slammed by the "big kids" trying to get a piece...the directors will get sick of it quickly and quit within a year...Either way the "standards compliance" will be the first thing to go when the corps take over...and that is Opera's only "killer" feature...If the directors want their money, sell it to somebody like google, or OSDN or IBM...somebody that's big enough and "in tune" enough to appreciate it....unlike the whole AOL/Netscape thing.
It's about time... (Score:3, Insightful)
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... (Score:5, Insightful)
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:Opera (Score:5, Insightful)
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..
Re:Why Pay? (Score:5, Insightful)
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:worthy? (Score:3, Insightful)
IPO means i gotta find a new web-browser.. (Score:0, Insightful)
I mean.. i love opera.. i use it to test all my web pages against.. because if it works in Opera.. it will work in ANYTHING.
Now they're gonna sell out.. it will become the next NetScrape.. the programmers will get rich and quit and then MS will buy it out so ZDnet can rave about the "BRAND NEW FEATURE! Tabbed Browsing" in IE 7.0
pftt.. IPO my ass.. what a way to ruin a great company.
Re:Amazing ... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:worthy? (Score:3, Insightful)
Personally I use Lynx most of the time or Firebird for my personal use, but as for work I use Windows IE. So here is just another little quip, the majority of corporations (big money spenders) have (or at least should have) policies against software being installed, and I doubt they'd be willing to dish out more money for something already "FREE" (note the quotations before you flame back), "FREE" on the OS they were conned into buying/upgrading. It's called IE.
Re:Opera OK (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I wonder which (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:My advice is this... (Score:2, Insightful)
Hell, their reasoning could be that it will make the founders very rich. Sucks for the rest of us, but if it were my decision, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Re:Here's Why... (Score:3, Insightful)
'...sole OFFICIAL responsibility ...'
There's a vast difference between what they are supposed to do, and what they actually do. Enron, WorldCom being perfect examples.
And what time frame are we talking about? The best way to maximize future dividends is to minimize those paid out now, leaving plenty of cash for growth/development. It's a fine line to walk, keeping investors happy and still maintaining future profitability.
Looting a good company is another consequence of IPOs (thankfully somewhat rarer). Normally done by members of the board through 'options', thus deferring the rape till some time after the IPO, and out of the public's attention.
Re:How is this relevant? (Score:3, Insightful)
The Norwegians feel about the Swedes much the same way the Americans feel about Canadians.
Given that Norway is smaller in population but richer in resources (ie. North Sea oil & gas) than Sweden, I'd say it's more like the way Canadians feel about the Americans.
Although it could be construed as insulting to any one nationality, the fact is that to the rest of the world, there's little distinction between Canadians/USAmericans and Norwegians/Swedes.
Opera is not an USian company (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:worthy? (Score:3, Insightful)
It might be the creditors who gave them the 3.1 million in the first place might be the ones pushing for the IPO to get their money back. AKA venture capitalists. To them, it doesn't matter whether the business floats or sinks afterward, they just need to get their investment out of it anyway possible.
How many registrations? (Score:3, Insightful)
I have registered version 6 and 7. See, I'm supporting software I use and love. My only complaint is that they don't have a port to PocketPC.