On 7/20/07, Erik Moeller <erik(a)wikimedia.org>
wrote:
We should carefully look at the experience of the
vast majority of
users who are a) on Windows, b) use Internet Explorer or the default
install of Firefox. I would also bet that most of them don't have Java
installed, but it seems hard to get numbers on that. Being able to
play video directly in the article being viewed is also highly
desirable.
Uh, using as much "fair use" images is highly desirable. Even for
living people where we could get free replacements... since it's
easier, and it will immediately improve the experience of our users.
The point is, using flash video akin to using mp3 for sound (since it
actually uses mp3 for audio). So, before pushing for flash, push for
mp3 first.
I think we should simply ask the current patent
holders whether they
would grant us non-commercial rights to use the relevant codecs. Yes,
such rights won't trickle down to third parties, but we would offer
the Theora files and promote Theora for this reason. The right could
be time-limited, and renegotiated regularly.
.. wasn't "freedom to reuse" part of what "free" on "free
encyclopedia" meant? Wasn't that the reason we don't use media
***with permission for wikipedia only***รง
(since we can't pass the right to reusers) ?
I'm 100% in support of "pushing
unencumbered formats", but not at the
expense of usability for the majority of users.
So, again, first push for mp3 then, it's more usable for default
windows users (since media player won't play ogg without downloading
the codec, and we want windows users to have the best experience)
I agree with the point of this post.
I don't think we ought to be supporting a patent-encumbered format for
which there are no free tools for creating and editing.
We've been making a lot of progess in making the videos in free
formats on wikimedia accessible to Joe and Jane Average User, to the
point where it is no more difficult to simply play than flash (and I
tried this out today, on a public Windows computer which had neither
Java nor Flash installed to begin with).
Because of this, I do not see why we need to compromise on this issue.
-Kat
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