This is a slight tangent from YouTube, but it is unfair to say "no
progress". As per Rex, when the encoding is assessed as open* then
there is plenty of interest to ensure Wikimedia Commons accepts the
new standards. More generally there was a big discussion on Commons (2
years ago I think) about whether to allow MP4 encoded video, the
community came to a consensus to stick to a firm compliance to open
standards. If there is something to push on, it would be having easier
and better transcoding tools. Something that has been on the wish-list
for a long time, but never made a priority for WMF dev.
Examples of new file formats being allowed include hosting 3D models,
still under some final discussion on the Commons Village Pump, and the
change to allow MP3 audio files.[1][2]
BTW, within YouTube, videos are always made available in webm format,
so a really smart import does not even need to do any transcoding.
Anyone wanting to invest some technical time in it should explore the
YouTube API which is well documented.[3] I would do more on this, but
I only have one lifetime.
(*) Open is subject to interpretation. It's complex, so sometimes it
is worth making a proposal somewhere like the Commons VP and seeing
what happens. Sometimes the issue is complex enough that the best way
of proceeding is to get a handful of people together to discuss the
details over a pizza in a hackathon, and then come back to the wider
community with facts and recommendations.
Links
1. https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T3790
2. https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T115170
3. https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/
Fae
--
faewik@gmail.com
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fae
On 25 October 2017 at 02:22, Rex X
freezetag@blueyonder.co.uk wrote:
> Commons does not allow "normal video file types" because many of them contain
> proprietary coding.
>
> Part of our mission is to encourage the growth of open resources and that
> includes open software and open standards. Commons takes that seriously and it's
> important that we do as well. Even if it seems inconvenient at times.
>
> --
> Rexx
>
>
>> On 24 October 2017 at 13:51 John Lubbock
john.lubbock@wikimedia.org.uk
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Is the plan to transfer them from YouTube via Video2Commons? In the past,
>> I've found that this tool often fails. It really is a shame that no
>> progress has been made on allowing normal video file types.
>>
>> John Lubbock
>>
>> Communications Coordinator
>>
>> Wikimedia UK
>>
>> +44 (0) 203 372 0767
>>
>>
>>
>> Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
>> Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Office 1,
>> Ground Floor, Europoint, 5 - 11 Lavington Street, London SE1 0NZ.
>>
>> Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The
>> Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate
>> Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent
>> non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility
>> for its contents.*
>>
>> On 24 October 2017 at 10:50, Michael Maggs
michael@maggs.name wrote:
>>
>> > Change at You Tube would be best actually, but I'd understood from your
>> > message that for whatever reason S4C have not managed to change the
>> > publicly visible You Tube licences.
>> >
>> > Shall we discuss in more detail off list?
>> >
>> > Michael
>> >
>> > On 24 Oct 2017, at 10:39, Robin Owain
info@cymruwales.com wrote:
>> >
>> > Thanks Michael!
>> >
>> > You recommend OTRS rather than change at You Tube? OK, I'll take your lead
>> > on this and email you asap.
>> >
>> > Many thanks
>> >
>> > Robin
>> >
>> > On 24 October 2017 at 10:29 Michael Maggs
michael@maggs.name wrote:
>> >
>> > Yes I can help.
>> >
>> > To ensure the videos aren't challenged on Commons we'll need formal
>> > confirmation from an authorised person at S4C to be sent to OTRS. If you
>> > could privately let me know details of the person who could provide the
>> > necessary confirmation I can draft a suitable email for them to send to
>> > OTRS. The uploaded files can then be tagged appropriately so that users
>> > don't start deleting them based on what they can see on YouTube.