[MPlayer-users] Re: Some remaining problems w/ multimedia on Linux

[Reshat Sabiq]

The Wanderer <inverseparadox <at> comcast.net> writes:

> Microsoft isn't the problem in this case. The problem is that only
> people who are willing to keep it sufficiently secret (and, most likely,
> pay sufficient amounts of money) are going to get legal access to the
> DRM decryption methods; without those, the content cannot be played.
> Even getting illegal access and then using the resulting information
> could get the developers sued.
> 
> > Although i do understand that it is likely to exclude open-source
> > apps as well. Still, it would be a step forward.
> 
> In the eyes of those who think that such restrictions on the use of
> content are a bad idea, it would be a step backward.
> 
Basically, it comes down to this:
1. Linux community finds a way to deal w/ DRM (and of course fix the glitches w/
seeking in streams, etc.), if necessary by pulling funds from the community and
paying for being able to legally implement it.
2. Linux remains marginalized on the desktop, particularly, in high-interest
multimedia (most of web-based movies, and pretty much all world championships,
olympics, NHL games, etc.). The fact that people think DRM is a step backward,
is a step backward for Linux (or at least that's what it's going to lead to
inevitably).