NPR Drops QuickTime Support

Magnetic Confinement writes "NPR has decided to drop QuickTime from its available streams. Their help desk response is: 'NPR.org had been offering some of its audio in the Apple QuickTime format under an arrangement with Apple QuickTime. We regret that we were unable to reach mutually acceptable terms for a new arrangement with Apple QuickTime. As a result, NPR is unable to continue offering its content in this format."

Comments

Ahh...yes...

[gamgee5273]

NPR continues to show its true colors and become more and more of a corporate bitch.

Lessee here...I see WMP and Real mentioned on the front page.

"Public Radio," my ass. They're just another example of boomers selling out to the "corporate masters" they complained about back in the 60s and 70s.

As an infrequent NPR listener, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft is at the root of this. Whenever I listen to NPR in the morning there is always a well-place MS "announcement" (read: advertisment - on public radio!) around 8am. I have no doubt that MS is threatening pulling its financial support if WMP is not the primary media player on the site. I bet Real will disappear soon, too.

If NPR were truly interested in being a user-friendly entity, it would post the stories in an .mp3 format and it would drop these ads for Microsoft and other corporations.

Meanwhile, I'm going back to Audible and the New York Times. At least I can deal with corporations that make it clear they're in it for the money, not some soft-and-fuzzy-bunny-bullshit smokescreen.

Re:Ahh...yes...

[sco08y]

You've gotta be pretty far out there to think NPR is part of a vast right-wing corporate conspiracy.

One nice thing about being a conservative is that I don't get my undies in a knot when someone I admire makes a lot of money. I say, "more power to 'em" and try to emulate their success.

I mean, how can you even enjoy music? If it's any good, they inevitably "sell out" to try and make a few bucks... you must be stuck listening to the Flaming Lips latest hit "10,000 Cats Burning to Death Slowly."

(Don't tell me.. the Flaming Lips sold out too...)

Re:Ahh...yes...

[gamgee5273]

Try reading what I wrote, not just what your blinders will allow you to. I never attacked the capitalist model.

Need I remind you, "public television" and "public radio" aren't supposed to "make" money. They're not-for-profit organizations. My argument is is that QTSS, something that can be had for free (even the OS, Darwin, it runs on can be free), was probably pulled because Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, both huge contributors to NPR, told them to do it. As I said before: I expect Real will disappear from the site as well.

The entire argument, which, mind you, was on topic before you voiced your opinion, is that NPR is a bunch of posers, son, for dumping a technology for cloudy reasons. They are HYPOCRITES. They clearly aren't looking out for their listeners or for the values they claim to embrace. They're covering their asses and not taking chances.

I have no admiration for those who do not take risks. That would probably include those who choose to "emulate" (read: follow) instead of lead.

Re:Ahh...yes...

[kalidasa]

From the viewpoint of NPR, there is no distinction between Free as in Freedom and Free as in Beer. And I'm sure they're thinking "well, it's easier to only support a limited number of formats." I wish they hadn't, but there it is. And I never, ever hear MS sponsorship on NPR, and I nearly always listen at 8 am. Probably your local station.

Re:npr == leftist apologists

[elmegil]

You clearly don't actually listen to NPR. Often as not the quotes and more importantly the very common cases of actually talking to a representative of the AEI et.al. in person, are being given full coverage of their side. Sometimes the reporter has an agenda that's clear, but it doesn't get expressed as "this person I'm talking to is clearly a moron" in the same way as, say Bill O'Reilly's screeds. Each side airs their perspective and they part at worst as disagreeing individuals who treat each other with respect. And in many cases NPR appears to be taking the side supported by AEI.

But of course you'd actually have to listen to the station to learn that, and that might interrupt your convenient "liberal media bias" myths that you can use to excuse the BS that O'Reilly and his ilk pull.

Re:BZZT, wrong

[gsfprez]

This is not a matter of COST. It is a matter of NPR being a bitch, and wanting payola. Period.

THERE IS NO COST to you (besides using a Mac for the broadcaster) in order to use Quicktime Streaming Server. Its an Open Source product - Apple even has links to RH, Solaris, and Windows NT versions freely downloadable. Oh, and the source, if you REALLY want to use your new Fossil PDA watch as a QTSS server once you port the software.

QTSS and Quicktime Broadcaster are both freely downloadable and have 0 cost to you, the unpaying user. You can use whatever codecs you think are good enough for you, meaning that you can use this even on Linux.

"We regret that we were unable to reach mutually acceptable terms for a new arrangement with Apple QuickTime" is liberal NPR speak for "just because Al Gore is on your board doesn't mean shit to us. Don't think that we aren't closet free-marketers in real life, so give us free money, or we'll drop your ass."

I am totally floored that they have ditched the only 100% free streaming server in order to shill up to their favorite right-wing "Big Software" companies like Microsoft and Real.

(You have read the word "Real". Real is a registered trademark of Real Networks, and we are now directing you to a website where finding the free player is practically impossible. Once its downloaded, you will need to give us your email address, full control of your computer, your DNA, your first born child, your credit cards and numbers, your preferred sexual postition, and state if you supported the war in Iraq before we fill up your screen with an entire window of advertisements just to listen to our "welcome to real" jingle)

Fuck NPR

[Refrag]

I used to listen to NPR a lot, until recently. They've been National Propaganda Radio ever since we invaded Iraq.