Open Source, Real Media Mega-player?

chill writes "CNN is reporting "RealNetworks on Monday will unveil a new open source version of its streaming media software that supports multiple file formats for audio and video, including those that use Microsoft's Windows Media technology." and "RealNetworks did not formally license the ability to offer Windows Media software, but instead re-created the technology based on data streams sent between the server and player software, The New York Times reported. A Microsoft representative told the newspaper that the company would need to determine whether RealNetworks licensed the software before taking action. " I can't wait to see the actual license." Update: 07/22 19:10 GMT by T : The software can be downloaded from the Helix site, if you're interested.

Comments

Re:Part Open Source, Part Not

[SpatchMonkey]

Interesting point.

But this reminds me of a girl I used to know way back in '97. She was a nice, caring person, and damn cute. Intelligent and creative too, but unfortunately far too guillible for her own good. Her name was Rachel. I have to admit, I kind of fancied her.

And in the November of that year, she starting hanging around with what I can only describe as a cult. Through careful manipulation of her most vulnerable points, she was slowly sucked in to their bizarre culture. We saw her less and less as she spent more time with the other cult members, and what we did see of her .. well, she changed. She became quiet and withdrawn whereas before she was relatively carefree and happy. And then there were the cases of the unexplained bruises.

She's dead now, you know. Died in a car crash last year. We didn't know her at all then, really.

I think I had a point somewhere .. oh yes ..

She could have left at any time, she didn't have to do what they said, right?

Re:Part Open Source, Part Not

[Yohahn]

Bah..

Cults involve manipulation of personality,
and usually some kind of "accountability" mechanism that usually favors the leader of such cult. (usually some kind of pyramid/tree structure)
Their indoctrination usually has something to do with group think. Groups I've known of hold "bible studies" and stack the group with member of the cult so that the potential members may be easily pressured.

While software "religons" tend to have these kind of groups of people with heavy beliefs (I've never been to an industry conference that really balances a set of views.. that's not what they're for)

It is interesting to note that advertisers/sales people use many of the same techniques to sell that cults use to recruit.

Re:Part Open Source, Part Not

[SpatchMonkey]

Actually it is quite possible for a cult to be accidental. That is, an organisation of people develops cult-esque behaviour without the intent of doing so.

Any group with the intention of 'converting' new people over to join them has that danger. Of course, it is very difficult to detect intent in such situations.

I liked your advertising / marketing comparison, by the way. Reminds me of when I was talking with someone defending the cult I mentioned earlier, and he claimed they just had 'good marketing techniques' for their religion.

Re:Speaking of reverse engineering protocols . . .

[TheAwfulTruth]

Like uh, Samba? I guess "Linux wouldn't be here today without reverse engineering" too then according to you argument. I guess "The sword cuts three ways".