Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Mozilla Partners with Real Networks

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the need-a-realware-checker dept.

engineer_uhg writes to tell us that Mozilla has just entered into a multi-year agreement with Real Networks to have Firefox distributed with downloads of RealPlayer, Rhapsody, and RealArcade. The Mozilla team cited Real's estimated 2 million downloads per day as a great tool for distribution. However, many Firefox supporters question the move, complaining of questionable practices by Real.

5 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. Re:black cloud w/silver lining... by neoform · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yeah, well as long as we don't get infected with real's products when we download firefox, what's the problem?

    --
    MABASPLOOM!
  2. Bad idea. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Its a really bad idea to tarnish the name of Firefox with an association with the malware known as realplayer. Big thumbs down.

  3. Re:Pathetic by Aqua+OS+X · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Seriously.

    By why the hell don't they distribute something like VLC or MPlayer? Real loves to brag and brag about their download stats, but I imagine most of those numbers are from their install base. I practically NEVER need to view RM. Almost everything I run into is Quicktime, MPEG, Windows Media, DivX, or Flash Video.

    --
    "Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
  4. Re:ha by Ash+Vince · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why do you say realplayer doesnt affect you because you run linux?

    I vastly prefer Realplayer over Quicktime because they distribute a decent linux client.
    Without Realplayer more content would probably be in that shitty QT sorenson (or whatever) format which I cant play.

    It amazes me that even MS content (Non-DRM) can be played back under linux but all the latest Quicktime encoded stuff is Apple / MS only.

    Disclaimer -
    If someone knows of a way to playback sorenson content under linux without resorting to wine running Quicktime please let me know.

    --
    I dont read /. to RTFA, I read /. to offend people in ignorance.
  5. Re:When was the last time you used real? by plasmacutter · · Score: 4, Interesting

    no, it has not been years.

    They still prevent open source players for their codec, their player has more ads than ever and now even has a frickin store in it, the free version is beyond a hassle to get and still demands a root pass in mac (which is beyond insane for a media player.. mplayer and vlc dont require it and have more features!).

    Then there's the fact that real is a purveyor of drm and prevents oss players from interacting with its format so they can force you to download their crappy player.

    Granted theyre not gator or anything, but their business practices still suck bad enough for them to be reviled. As far as over-proprietary formats go, theyre right there in the camp with microsoft's windows media, and make flash look like ogg-vorbis.

    --
    VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!