How To Get Started Using Opera Unite

Haven’t heard of Opera Unite? What about Opera? Okay, if you haven’t heard about Opera, I have sad news. My wife has heard of it and she isn’t hardly the most technologically proficient person out there. How do I feel safe writing that, you may ask. Like I said, she’s not technologically proficient.

Getting back to the main story, though. Unite is Opera’s new file sharing program. You can share any files with any friends that you want, stream music from a computer at home to a computer at work or access photos from your computer at home without having to upload them to a third party site.

This guide will take you through Unite so that you know how to use this cool new application.

Get Started

Go to http://unite.opera.com and download the latest version of Opera. Save the file and install Opera. Once Opera has been installed on your computer, it will open up to it’s start page (Opera is a web browser for those who haven’t caught on).

Getting Started with Unite

Now that Opera is installed and opened, you will want to enable Unite. You can do that one of two ways. You can go to Tools-Opera Unite Server-Enable Opera Unite or you can point your mouse to the lower left side of the Opera window and hold your mouse over the Unite icon. Then click Enable Opera Unite.  You’ll notice a screen pop-up that will walk you through setting Unite up on your computer.  If you already have an Opera account, you won’t need to setup a new one.  If you don’t have an account, you can set one up in the wizard.   You are going to have to give a name to the computer that you are on to distinguish it from others that you may setup.  There are some advanced settings that you may want to take a look at depending on how you have your network setup (UPnP setup if you want to change it).  You can also adjust whether your applications and files are visible on the web in the advanced window.

First Steps in Unite

You should have received an email from Opera asking you to verify your account.  If you haven’t done that already, do so now.  After you have finished the setup wizard and verified your account, the Opera Unite Home will be up.  This is the part where I got really excited.  There are so many cool features within Unite that I didn’t know were to start.  If you click the Add button in the top left corner a list of applications available to install will show up.  I would recommend installing the Media Player, File Sharing, Photo Sharing, Media Streamer, The Task Manager and Fridge.

You’re On Your Own

That is it for now.  You’ve successfully setup Unite and are ready to experience one of the most innovative web applications that the Internet has seen in a long time.  For more information check here.

You can keep learning more about Unite in my Guide to Accessing Your Files Remotely.

I’d love to hear about applications that you would like to see developed for Unite or fun ways you’re using Unite in the comments below.

p.s. Write on my Fridge if you want!