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Windows Media for Embedded Linux Systems
ntmonkey writes "According to this article, Microsoft has authorized InterVideo to port Windows Media Player to Linux. However, WMP will not be available to normal folks...Microsoft will only allow it to be distributed via set top boxes and the like."
Or is it really fourth?
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
The Microsoft and Linux icons on the same topic... what an unholy combination! I thought I'd never see the day.
"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
... until it gets ripped off a box and distributed for general use?
Comment removed based on user account deletion
"If you register the player online, which involves answering some very personal questions and effectively allowing Microsoft a good look at your PC, then you get the full version. Otherwise you're left with a cut down version.
"If they applied this tactic to Linux users, imagine the information they could get their hands on."
Indeed.
Even if they ported it, would you use it with those stipulations?
One word. MPlayer.
Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/07/225206 &
so now will the movie theaters run linux?
Hey...it was highly rated in a previous story. If the Slashdot gang can repeat stories...why can't I repeat comments.
The deal includes Windows Media codecs, file formats, streaming protocol and DRM -- everything that is needed to access Windows Media. However, the Windows Media Player itself will not be ported.
AC
Not if the libraries in question are licenced under the LGPL. The LGPL specifically allows linking with non-GPLed code; that's the reason it exists distinct from the GPL.
It's official. Most of you are morons.
Microsoft is right. Most Linux folks are not normal.
Chris
Having it closed sort of sucks because other competing players can't use the codecs. I think MS is just trying to make WMP9 video formats the defacto industry standard.
"You can now flame me, I am full of love,"
This may not be a dupe as it clarifies that Microsoft is not going to allow the port of WMP to be used in regular linux boxes, so all of the discussions about GPL licensing are mute!
Way to go Microsoft! You never let us down in our expectations of your imperialist powers
This is just sig!
Yarrrrr matey! We be the pirates o' the seven operatin' systems!
*wink-wink* *nudge-nudge*
Natural != (nontoxic || beneficial)
Sure, I knew you could.
Sounds like a prime candidate for a legal paradox that could destroy time itself!
Z. http://www.play.net Your games, my job. C'est la vie!
Who is ordinary folk? You mean the person who bought set top box is extraordinary?
I repeat : It is not a crime to earn money with software, YET.
XBox line of products
Somehow I don't see Microsoft releasing a version of their XBox with Linux on it. If you read the article it is for set top boxes.
You may or may not be right but I know that I still use Windows on my desktop (for the most part) but I went to Linux on my server for affordability, stability, and flexibility. I don't typically make decisions based on dislike for a company. I go for whatever product best serves my purpose. I also don't hate Microsoft anymore than I hate Walmart, Disney, AOLTW, Oracle, Sun, Apple, Vivendi, and all of the other companies that are evil as Microsoft but just not as good at it.
If they use i386, I can count it in minutes. :)
If they use something else, could be a LOOOOOONG time.
Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).
Yes you are missing a great deal. The GPL only restricts the code that is covered by the GPL. So if Microsoft chose to take the linux kernel and rerelease it, then they would have to release the source, otherwise they don't have to release anything under the GPL simply because they are using Linux as their kernel. Take, for example, Oracle, win4lin, Opera, and a host of other BSD licensed material that runs on linux.
This is just sig!
Didn't you read the recent court ruling? Federal Judges have said Reverse engineering is now illegal under the DMCA. so if someone makes "a hack" they can be throwin in the can.
Lately I have found that the majority of /. stories are delayed mirrors of Google News Sci/Tech section. I generally check Google News for the stories, then come here about 2 hours later to see the dialog about the story. I knew this story would be making its way here sooner or later.
Even assuming they don't change the kernel, if they are distributing it within the box they need to agree to the GPL, which requires that they distribute the source of the kernel, at least. I argue that even though they add only applications and libraries, since they are distributing a complete, integrated package that includes the Linux kernel, the package as a whole is derived from the Linux kernel and thus must include source. It would be different if they were distributing only their applications and libraries, with the end-user responsible for acquiring and installing the Linux kernel.
John Sauter (J_Sauter@Empire.Net)
This is potentially big news for TiVo. With the recent release of Home Media Option, there have been some complaints about the software not supporting WMA. My music is in mp3 format, so I don't really care, but if it can help increase interest and development in Home Media Option, I'm all for it.
Unless they go with Linux to save a little money. Especially if they are a manufacturer.
If you are producing a set-top embedded system and need to put an OS on it, it's WAY cheaper to use Linux than Embedded Windows. The only real cost associated with Linux is tech support, which can be a HUGE cost, but won't be in a system like this because access to the OS will be extremely limited so users won't have an opportunity to fuck it up.
If you make this product using Linux, you are probably doing so to save on costs, thus maximizing profit for you and your shareholders. Chances are ideological issues about free software and open source play little or no role in that decision. As such, you would be more than happy to use a port of MS-WMP and related codecs if that is a convenient and efficient way to handle the media.
lysergically yours
Becuase Micro(?)Soft knows that as long as there are people running linux out there, there will be a market share they don't have their grimey fingers in. This way they can get a chunk of change off the sale of the boxes. Or at least get the advertisement from their mediaplayer being on the boxes. I mean even if the person looks at the icon, that's one more place where microsoft has it's name/trademark. Remember when you NEVER thought you'd see Microsoft Software on a Mac? The plague is spreading.
This is only for embedded devices. You will not see Windows Media Player for the version of Linux which runs on ordinary computers. Microsoft does not have a monopoly in embedded devices, and probably never will: Linux is beating Microsoft in that market. Therefore, if Microsoft wants its media player to exist in that market, they have to (gasp!) compete by doing drastic things like offering it on other operating systems!
This isn't the first time. Microsoft offers its technologies on other platforms when they don't have a monopoly. FrontPage server extensions have been available for Apache for quite some time, for example.
When you see Windows Media Player downloadable for x86 Linux with the X Window System -- then it's news.
However, it's important to avoid using Windows Media anywhere it is found. This is an area Microsoft wants a monopoly in, and it would be a very bad thing if they achieved it. Choose MPEG, OGG, Real, etc. streams when you can find them -- b**ch and moan to webmasters when you can't find them.
Tired of FB/Google censorship? Visit UNCENSORED!
Does it matter? MS has been using open-source code for...umm...ever. Remember when zlib had security problems and needed to be updated?
MS put out the same notice for some of their stuff also...
The great thing about closed source is, nobody has to know that there is some open-source in there
"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
Wouldn't Microsoft want to release an end-user version for Linux for the exact same reason they ported it to Mac OS (and then again to OS X)?
And, um, by the way, does anyone know what that reason would that be?
I wonder if move indicates that Microsoft doesn't expect either XP Media Center Edition (or WebTV) to monopolize set top boxes.
Only dedicated devices powered by Linux?
I'm so VERY disppointed... NOT.
MPlayer would be better for such manufacturers to look into. Sure, it may use those codecs, but the interface is all OSS and that's good. Furthermore, using a ported Windows app wouldn't alleviate those pesky codec licensing problems anyway. So really, there's no advantage to using MS's MPlayer in your Linux device at all... unless there's something technical I'm unaware of. Anyone care to enlighten me?
Embedded Systems makers beware, supporting this will eventually invalidate the reasons you chose linux in the first place!
This move by Microsoft is to prevent Ogg Vorbis and other free codecs from dominating the Linux embedded market. Once Microsoft has the dominant codec, they'll stop supporting Linux and force you to buy some flavor of embedded windows or other platform they control to stay in business.
As soon as Microsoft has finished using its codecs to control the media-format choices in the embedded and desktop market, they will charge out the wazoo for this stuff and pry your Linux options out of your hands. DON'T FALL FOR IT. This is not a new strategy, most people LEARN of it through Micrsoft.
...if someone finally notices that the very same thing came through here three days ago?
/. before they try to do something about it?
Here's a little cut&paste from slashdots search function, search term was "intervideo" with no restrictions:
Windows Media for Embedded Linux Systems
On April 11th, 2003 with 198 comments
ntmonkey writes "According to this article, Microsoft has authorized InterVideo to port Windows Media Player to Linux. However, WMP will not be available to...
Section: Main > Microsoft
Score: 0.5
Windows Media Format Could Hit Linux-Based Devices
On April 8th, 2003 with 260 comments
An anonymous reader writes "LinuxDevices.com reports that Microsoft has licensed InterVideo Inc. to supply Windows Media Technology to makers of Linux-based...
Section: Main > Media
Score: 0.5
Also I wonder how many more duplicates we'll see on
bye,
[L]