I figure a standard has to come from somewhere. As long as it's truly open, and there's no chance of it closing later (ala the whole GIF fiasco).
The java community can look to eclipse for proof of this. I've heard accounts of how they bypassed the whole JCP, but IMHO managed to produce something that, preferences aside, functions according to spec and contributes to the community as a whole.
More power to anyone who sees a potential solution to a problem and pursues it, not to make a buck, but as a solution to a common problem.
I've taken to using Flash 6 for most audio/video streams from the web. The quality of the video is impressive and it streams over http (port 80) so there are far fewer firewall issues. Also Flash seems much easier for people to download than Real, which does everything in their power to make you buy the full version. All with the added bonus of it not being a Microsoft product. It doesn't offer the surestream (multiple bitrates) that Real does, but since most of our target audience has flash and broadband, it has been fairly painless.
All in all, it's not the best solution, but it's relatively inexpensive and seems to meet most of our needs just fine.
Slashdot Mirror
I figure a standard has to come from somewhere. As long as it's truly open, and there's no chance of it closing later (ala the whole GIF fiasco).
The java community can look to eclipse for proof of this. I've heard accounts of how they bypassed the whole JCP, but IMHO managed to produce something that, preferences aside, functions according to spec and contributes to the community as a whole.
More power to anyone who sees a potential solution to a problem and pursues it, not to make a buck, but as a solution to a common problem.
Well, that's my 2cents.
I've taken to using Flash 6 for most audio/video streams from the web. The quality of the video is impressive and it streams over http (port 80) so there are far fewer firewall issues. Also Flash seems much easier for people to download than Real, which does everything in their power to make you buy the full version. All with the added bonus of it not being a Microsoft product. It doesn't offer the surestream (multiple bitrates) that Real does, but since most of our target audience has flash and broadband, it has been fairly painless.
All in all, it's not the best solution, but it's relatively inexpensive and seems to meet most of our needs just fine.