Netscape asked for hand outs [LWN.net]

Netscape asked for hand outs

Posted Aug 6, 2003 17:26 UTC (Wed) by JoeBuck (subscriber, #2330)
In reply to: RealNetworks asks for hand outs by coriordan
Parent article: RealNetworks launches Helix Player project

As I see it, we have two choices: we can refuse to help Real, and let Windows Media Player totally dominate, to the point where Linux users can no longer access audio or video information on the web. Or we can work with Real, keeping the pressure on to open up more and more of their system, substituting free codecs for proprietary codecs as much as possible.

We're seeing a repeat of Netscape/Mozilla: the once dominant player is being out-competed by Microsoft and is now asking the open source community for help. Either they get the help, or they go under.

There are certainly reasons to be suspicious. But I think it's better to engage with them, all the time keeping up the pressure to open up more.

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Netscape asked for hand outs

Posted Aug 6, 2003 17:46 UTC (Wed) by coriordan (guest, #7544) [Link]

> I think it's better to engage with them, all the time keeping
> up the pressure

It's a tough call.

RealNetwork's current business model relys on keeping the codec a secret. The company would have to reinvent itself if they were to consider becoming an actual part of the community. Helping them with zero-pay labour is kinda like offering them credit, I'm just not sure they'll be able to pay it back.

Our other option is to help the Vorbis Theora team. They're Free Sofware from the start. (Before people point out that they use BSD license instead of GPL, they did this with RMS's consultation. Software freedom is the goal, the GPL is usually our best contract, but the BSD license has it's uses.)

I think the offerings of RealNetworks are too small to justify real interest. Mozilla became GPL with a little pressure because the GPL was compatible with the goals of the Mozilla project.

Ciaran O'Riordan
Xiph/Ogg/Vorbis Theora video streaming: www.theora.org

Grant program

Posted Aug 7, 2003 8:53 UTC (Thu) by robla (subscriber, #424) [Link]

We're offering a grant program as well, which is $75,000 offered by the end of the year. Details here. That's not "zero sum".

We hired one of the developers that contributed some of the code to Helix Player (Ryan Gammon). His resume may not have necessarily stood out from the pack otherwise.

We made a cash grant to Xiph.org for developement of an Ogg Vorbis plugin for the Helix DNA Client. I would imagine that we would give more money for future Ogg Vorbis/Theora/Speex projects as well.

So cut us a break already.

Rob