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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.

4 of 197 comments (clear)

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

    it's microsoft!

  2. 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 poot_rootbeer · · Score: 5, Funny

      */
      Windows Media Player Code follows:
      */

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

  3. 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.