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Canonical Offers Sale of Proprietary Codecs for Ubuntu

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the just-trying-to-help-the-users dept.

ruphus13 writes "Playing DVDs on Linux that required proprietary codecs has been a source of much pain. Ubuntu (or anyone else, for that matter) is not legally allowed to redistribute these codecs. So, users were left with sub-optimal choices. Convert the multimedia to an open format, acquire new media, or use a codec 'found' on the web, which may be illegal. In its continued effort to have a seamless and slick user experience, Canonical made the hard choice to offer the sale and support for proprietary codecs that users had to actually purchase for Ubuntu. This is not a fight Canonical can fight alone, and they are sure to get some grief for the decision."

4 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Somebody had to do it... by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Uh, I don't believe you get DVD playback included in Windows, at least not in XP. You do get MP3 support included, but then, that's not the same thing as free, is it? Presumably you paid for your copy of Windows, either off-the-shelf or as part of a new computer purchase.

    I've been able to play DVDs just fine with the last two computers I've bought, and before that I got a free copy of a dvd program (powerdvd, I think?) for windows when I bought a standalone dvd drive.

    So, yeah -I've always been able to play mp3s and watch DVDs for free on windows; it's only on Linux (the so-called "Free software" platform) where I've been coerced into paying.

  2. Re:Somebody had to do it... by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    >I'd refute you but saw the "aesthetically pleasing desktop" with windows and decided not to bother.
    Not sure what you mean there. Do you mean that you run OS X and therefore would win by default -or do you mean that you run one of crappy linux desktops and realize that only someone with horrifically crap tastes would think that either KDE or Gnome are prettier and easier to use than XP or Vista?

  3. Re:Somebody had to do it... by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    >your post really makes no sense at all.
    Your failure at reading comprehension really isn't my problem. Regardless, I'll break it down for you.
    Advantages to using windows:
                                1)Comes free (for all practical purposes) with your PC.
                                2)Is able to run a wide assortment of professional-grade software which is not offered for Linux (note that I'm saying NOTHING about price here --nor was I in the original comment. Commas, motherfuckers --can you parse them?)
                                3)Can play mp3s and usually DVDs out of the box for free.

    While I'm responding to flamers: Yo! Mad Merlin! Who in the FUCK pays $300 for windows? Who in the real world does that? Fucking no fucking one, that's who. The shit's already included in the price of your PC; stop looking for extreme corner cases to prop up your weak, untenable argument, fool.

  4. Re:Somebody had to do it... by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    >horrifically crap taste instead of a closed mind.

    Sorry to say it -but it sounds like you've got both.

    Enjoy your shitty user interface!