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RealNetworks Releases Helix Source

Posted by michael on from the trying-to-avoid-media-player-steamroller dept.

teeheehee writes "According to this DigitalMass article, RealNetworks yesterday released source code for their audio and video players, with server-side and encoding software coming maybe in December. The code isn't complete, it's missing things like burning-to-cd routines; and they're getting flak from Microsoft calling it a ploy. Regardless, anytime a big company releases their source only good can come of it (for the public.)" Our story a few days ago had more information on the licensing, and gathered a couple of interesting posts from one user.

13 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. and if anyone knows how to spot a ploy... by Sagarian · · Score: 5, Funny

    it's microsoft!

  2. Big deal by LumpishGenius · · Score: 2, Funny

    I know this article fits right in with Bash Microsoft Day (everyday!!) but I urge you to reconsider. The RN player is trashy and they're giving out the pieces of the code which nobody could benefit from. No one is going to use their code in other projects because their player is substandard, so it's a bit like being able to fuck an elderly, ugly whore for free... sure, it's free, but who gives a rat's ass?

    1. Re:Big deal by pizza_milkshake · · Score: 3, Funny
      I know this article fits right in with Bash Microsoft Day (everyday!!) but I urge you to reconsider. The RN player is trashy and they're giving out the pieces of the code which nobody could benefit from. No one is going to use their code in other projects because their player is substandard, so it's a bit like being able to fuck an elderly, ugly whore for free... sure, it's free, but who gives a rat's ass?

      which way is the elderly ugly free whore?

  3. Meanwhile... by CySurflex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft Corp
    Company Press Release
    REDMOND - 11:03 AM PST - We're happy to announce that in response to Real Network's move, Microsoft Corp is releasing the source code to our acclaimed Windows Media Player. The code isn't complete, it's missing things like burning-to-cd routines, playing audio routines, playing video routines, encoding, decoding, recording, saving, loading files, or generally functioning as a Media Player. However, we are sure the open source community will embrace our efforts and the three lines of code we did release.

    1. Re:Meanwhile... by unicron · · Score: 4, Funny

      */
      Windows Media Player Code follows:
      */

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    2. Re:Meanwhile... by dozer · · Score: 4, Funny

      Actually, I have the source code to Windows Media Player. Here it is in its entirety:

      /*
      * Windows Media Player
      */

      void main(void)
      {
      CallSecretWin32MediaPlayFunction();
      exit(0);
      }

    3. Re:Meanwhile... by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 5, Funny

      */
      Windows Media Player Code follows:
      */

      Figures that even this amount of MS code contains a bug...

    4. Re:Meanwhile... by Apreche · · Score: 2, Funny

      I thought it looked more like this... /**
      * WMP
      */

      void main(void){

      Searchforillegalstuff();
      ReporttoRIAA();
      SendpersonalinfotoMS();
      Pretendtoplaymusicandvideo();
      Crash(BLUE_SCREEN);

      }

      Oh, I think it's just because we are using different coding standards.

      --
      The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
  4. The real question is... by Cervantes · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... did they remember to remove the spyware and phone-home code before they released the source...err, sorry, "Secret Blueprint"? (you have to RTA to get that)

    --
    If I knew the wedgies I gave you back in 6th grade would have resulted in this . . . I might have taken a moments pause.
  5. aww, this sucks by frenetic3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    i was hoping they'd release the source for the popups and that awesome tray app, the "No, Thanks" buttons, the code to make RealOne take over everything from *.mp3 to *.bat, and that sweet program that lets you download stuff just like normal, except with banner ads, and whatever code is responsible for that feeling that Satan is laughing somewhere whenever I click "run" or "accept eula" of anything made by that fucking company.

    --
    "Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?"
  6. Re:It is a ploy, sort of, but we stand to benefit by 0xdeadbeef · · Score: 5, Funny

    It ensures an enduring mark upon the outside world, but doesn't provide any benefit to anyone.

    It disperses food for local scavengers.

  7. Server Problems? by bovinewasteproduct · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, it looks like someone has a little problem.

    The helix community server is tossing Internal Server Error about every 5th or 6th time I access it... Opps.

    I wonder why? :)

    BWP

  8. Re:Of course it's a ploy... by GlassHeart · · Score: 4, Funny
    They're just doing it as a marketing ploy to get more uber geeks releasing media in their format

    Somehow I doubt that there'll be a big market demand for original movies made by ubergeeks.