[Commons-l] We should permit Flash video playback

[Kat Walsh]

On 7/20/07, Pedro Sanchez <pdsanchez at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/20/07, Erik Moeller <erik at 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***ç
>  (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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