I also didn't like its mail client, but IRC was useful multiple times. Especially when browsing some kind of open source project and wanted to get an answer, I just clicked on a link on their page and was able to join their channel.
The great thing was that Opera 12 even with IRC, mail, torrent and other goodies (such as HTTP server) was still lighter on resources than Firefox and Chrome.
I really do miss the old Opera, and even the Vivaldi is not
really good replacement since it still uses Blink engine.
I switched to Firefox after, I like its extensions but it's not perfect.
The great thing was that Opera 12 even with IRC, mail, torrent and other goodies (such as HTTP server) was still lighter on resources than Firefox and Chrome.
I really do miss the old Opera, and even the Vivaldi is not really good replacement since it still uses Blink engine.
I switched to Firefox after, I like its extensions but it's not perfect.