Making the popular browser available on the successful Linux platform
Oslo, Norway – Mar. 2, 1999
Troll Tech AS, producer of the Qt cross-platform application framework and Opera Software AS, producer of Opera, the fastest and most user friendly Internet browser, today announced a cooperative development effort to make Opera available on the increasingly popular Linux platform. This initiative between the two companies, Opera Software AS and Troll Tech AS, is taken to secure a rapid offering of the Opera web browser on the Linux platform.
The first prototype will be showcased this week at the Linux WorldExpo in San Jose. The Linux version of Opera is based on Qt, TrollTech’s widely used cross-platform application framework. Troll Techstarted the porting of the user interface and the general frameworkthree weeks ago, and has already produced a working prototype. Thedevelopment team consisted of seven Troll Tech engineers who portedthe browser to Linux by replacing the source code that uses Windowswith source code that uses Qt. The core browser functionality will nowbe ported to Linux by engineers from Opera Software.
“Opera customers have long wanted a Linux version. Through thisinitiative we are happy to announce that a Linux version of Opera willbe soon available ” said, Jon von Tetzchner, Managing Director ofOpera Software AS. When we started to work with Troll Tech three weeksago, we did not expect to see a working browser on Linux so quickly.We are impressed by the performance of the Troll Tech team and thequality of their toolkit. We expect a first Linux version to bereleased Q2 1999″.
“Porting Opera to Linux is an interesting challenge for Troll Tech.The browser – Opera, is known for being much faster and more compactthan Explorer or Netscape Navigator.” said Haavard Nord, CEO of TrollTech AS.
About Troll Tech AS
Troll Tech AS enables their customers to rapidly develop efficient,maintainable, commercial-grade software by providing softwarecomponents, development tools, and technical support, contract andconsulting services. Troll Tech’s flagship product Qt is across-platform user interface framework. It provides applicationdevelopers with all the functionality needed to build state-of-the-artgraphical user interfaces. Qt is fully object-oriented, easilyextensible, and allows true component programming. It is fullysupported on Windows 95/98/NT, Linux, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, DigitalUnix, IBM AIX, SGI IRIX and a wide range of other platforms. Since1994, Qt has formed the basis of hundreds of successful applicationsworldwide. Troll Tech is located in Oslo, Norway. Further informationis available at www.troll.no.
About Opera Software
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Webbrowsers for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering withcompanies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson,Sharp and Lineo (now a division of Embedix). The Opera browser hasreceived international recognition from end users and the industrypress for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than otherbrowsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac, Linux/Solaris, OS/2,Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a privately held companyheadquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.