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Flash EULA Doesn't Fit the Times
cphoenix writes "The latest Flash player license seems to forbid downloading their player onto a laptop. From the License: "you may not use the Software on any non-PC product or any embedded or device versions of the above operating systems, including, but not limited to, mobile devices, internet appliances, set top boxes (STB), handhelds, PDAs, phones, web pads, tablets, game consoles, TVs, DVDs, gaming machines, home automation systems, kiosks or any other consumer electronics devices or mobile/cable/satellite/television or closed system based service." This comes at a time when laptops are outselling desktops. And to add insult to injury, "You agree that Macromedia may audit your use of the Software ... In the event that such audit reveals any use of the Software by you other than in full compliance with the terms of this Agreement, you shall reimburse Macromedia for all reasonable expenses related to such audit."
I've hated that shit since 1998 - socially, it drove me into being one of few artists in a geek community, for the simple fact that I value information clarity and ease of navigation as opposed to bloated whiz-bang billshit... the sort of stuff the kids I went to artskool with are conditioned to be all about, almost to a pavlovian level. It and Macromedia have fueled many an argument - greed and moneyhats and buzzwords on one side, legibility and clarity on the other.
Doesn't help that flash runs like shit on the mac.
A shitty EULA is one less reason to use the thing, and another arrow in the "flash sucks!" quiver.
Though I suppose if there's enough of a stink, a FOSS solution wile rise up.
mod up.