I have been an Opera user since version 5.12, having previously used IE. I started with it because of its incredible attention to detail, and attention to the user. But Opera stagnated, and I switched to the Mozilla suite a little after Opera released version 6, which had made almost no progress in scripting standards. Then Opera suddenly shot into the lead with standards in version 7, and since then it has really led the field. I switched back and stuck with it, watching Mozilla lose the plot and forget about attention to detail, chosing instead to please only IE users who have no idea what features are. I started writing on this site about Opera's impressive features and standards support, and how to use them. It seems I caught someone's eye, and they got in touch with me...
In mid March 2005, I started working for Opera Software ASA, as a Technical Writer, working in their documentation department. Since then my roles have expanded, and as of 2008, I mainly work in core quality assurance, helping to make sure that Opera keeps to the forefront of scripting and display capabilities. I also work in the security Group, where we work to keep Opera's industry leading security record.
This made it possible to keep documenting Opera, like I do right now, but also to be able to contribute to the program's quality and official documentation as well. My family and I moved to Oslo, to spend some time at Opera HQ, where I was able to work with all the people who make a real difference to the Web (oh yeah, and Olli). A real honour for me, and certainly a job opportunity I was not expecting.
After nearly 6 months in Oslo, we returned to Wales, where I will continue to work for Opera Software ASA. I may miss being able to walk into someone's office and pester them for answers, but at least I can now work in my underwear instead - åsømm. I offer a virtual aasøl (that's a norwegian beer, by the way) to my colleagues and friends in Oslo.
Most importantly, this site still has a future. In fact, this site will be more important to me than ever, and I intend to keep developing the tutorials, articles and Opera documentation, so please do not worry about it.
Since this is my own personal site, I will still be able to state my own opinions, and publish my own public articles.
Before anyone suggests it, I got this job after writing my browser speed tests article, and it was not biased. Opera performed well in the tests because Opera performs well. As for whether writing the article contributed towards me getting a job ... well ... maybe just a little bit, but if so, I hope it was because of the effort that went into the honest researching. Considering how many Opera articles I have already written, it is fairly obvious that those were the influential ones, and not the browser speed tests article. I have already had enough of Mozilla/Firefox users dismissing the article simply because I am an Opera user. Please just accept that your browser is slower. My personal choice of browser has nothing to do with it. It really is not that big of a deal. Opera is already good, I do not feel any need to make it appear better than it is.