A new beta version of the fastest browser on earth blasted onto the net on Friday - have you tried it yet?

Fancy a bit of a different, faster and more pleasurable browsing experience? Try Opera. On average it's 20 or 25% faster on loading pages than most other browsers. If you've got an aging system, you'll wonder how you managed without it for so long. And besides, it's Norwegian.

Opera is a seriously customisable browser. Don't like that feature or that button? Chances are you can turn it off or move it around. If you hate the way it opens windows within the main Opera window, you can change it so it opens them straight onto the desktop. It's even got a built in setting to block pop-ups. Yep, you can skin it, and custom button sets are supported. With built in ICQ, email and news reader clients, there are plenty of other bits to explore.

Another area that has to be tried to be believed is the 'mouse gesture' feature. Basically, you can control the back, forward, refresh and all the main navigational options depending on the uh, 'gesture' you make with your mouse. It sounds more complex than it is, but once you get used to it, you'll find yourself wishing that other applications supported this seriously nifty feature.

With version 6.01 now established and 6.02 in beta now is a great time to give it a whirl. You can download 6.02 here, or 6.01 final from this page. Weighing in at under 4 MB, everyone can afford to give it a go. A version with java enabled is available here.