Tom's Hardware > Forum > Linux/Free BSD > Linux/Free BSD General Discussion > BBC iPlayer - Call to arms for UK Linux (&Mac) users

BBC iPlayer - Call to arms for UK Linux (&Mac) users

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audiovoodoo   07-26-2007 at 09:14:24 PM

Here in the UK our beloved BBC is currently looking to introduce a system for playing back recent shows via the web. Some of you might have read about the iPlayer from various news sources. Unfortunately in its infinate wisdom the board had decided to use a closed and propitiatory Micorsoft DRM system. The kicker is that only a Windows client will be made available and there are no assurances that a Mac or Linux client will be made available any time soon if at all. So not only do we have to pay a state licence fee to operate a TV in this country we also have to pay a Windows Tax to view shows online.

I first read about this on Slashdot a couple of weeks back and immediately logged an official complaint with the BBC. Having given them time to respond I received a rather 'Meh' reply from their information office noting my complaint, it would seem quite a few others followed me in voicing their concerns. You can see the slashdot thereads here:

http://slashdot.org/search.pl?query=iplayer

As auntie is not listening a petition has been set up on the 10 Downing St site allowing UK & Ex Pat folk to log their request to have iPlayer banned in its current format and to demand a more cross platform solution to be made available. Its only been up a couple of days and there are now 11,000 or so signed up names. If you are eligable and want to add your voice then you can find the petition here:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/iplayer/

If you want your shows on a Mac or Linux box any time soon we need to make our point..

Thanks,

AV.



------------------------------ BoM - Just another bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys
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strangestranger   08-05-2007 at 11:59:43 PM
- 0 +

Just thought i would post to say i have added my support to this and also to stop it from being pushed to the second page.

Of course, i have read that the BBC are hoping to make an open source version it is just that the fact that they are using our money means that they have to make it work primarily with the operating system that the majority of people use and that is xp.

now, i ain't that big a watcher of Tv if at all but i have this weekend finally got round to wiping Xp from my dell laptop and installing ubuntu and even managed to get my wireless card working using ndiswrapper so this kinda has more meaning to me now.

------------------------------ I'm a git, deal with it.

Antec 1200,PC Power & Cooling 750,Gigabyte DS4-x48,Intel Q9550@3.4 W/Xigmatek S1283,8GB OCZ DDR2 800,ATI 4870X2,X-FI>CA 640C amp>Tannoy R300/Senn 595's
 Reply to strangestranger
audiovoodoo   08-10-2007 at 01:40:10 AM
- 0 +

Hehe.. looks like the BBC's argument about protecting content is falling apart:

Slashdot - Microsoft DRM Code for Netflix Streams Hacked

------------------------------ BoM - Just another bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys
 Reply to audiovoodoo
riser   08-17-2007 at 03:11:27 PM
- 0 +

They're taking on a lot to do this in the first place. Microsoft does have a canned system in place.. even as you mention it was hacked but that will be fixed.

Ever see the websites stats that show the OSs and browser software used to view the webpage?

If you can show me that the Linux and Mac market has a significant amount of users hitting the site.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say its probably close to 85-90% Windows/IE hitting the webpage.

If that does well, then you can probably expect the rest to follow.. Its all about the ROI - return on investment.

------------------------------ "Alcoholism is a disease, but it's the only one you can get yelled at for having. Goddammit Otto, you are an alcoholic. Goddammit Otto, you have Lupus... one of those two doesn't sound right." M. H.
 Reply to riser
audiovoodoo   08-17-2007 at 04:04:34 PM
- 0 +

The issue is Riser that as a publicly funded body that I have to pay a license fee to they need to use and support open standards. It also raises issues of accessibility on mobile devises (linux or otherwise).

Its like saying public building should not have access ramps as only 5% of visitors have a disability.

------------------------------ BoM - Just another bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys
 Reply to audiovoodoo
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