I was looking for a list of requirements for Opera, and found this browser comparison table [archive.org]. Opera is compared to “Browser 1” and “Browser 2” on various features, speed, security, etc. Browser 2 doesn’t look too favorable, but Browser 1 looks terrible.

Of course, even if you don’t recognize the specs, you can identify them easily by the column headers:

• Opera is red
• Browser 1 is blue
• Browser 2 is orange

Hmmm….

Interestingly, I’ve got a project I’ve been working on off-and-on for a couple of weeks, and I’ve already put together a design using just color to represent different browsers.

It looks like I may have been on to something.

Update August 8, 2005: Apparently there are countries in which it is illegal to mention a competitor by name in ads, which might explain the tactic. Also, Opera has taken down the page, replacing it with a note that “This page is under development.”