[Foundation-l] We should permit Flash video playback

[Erik Moeller]

On 7/20/07, Ben McIlwain <cydeweys at gmail.com> wrote:
>  If we put a bit more effort into improving this system we will have a
> very robust way of displaying videos to readers that does not violate
> our core mission.

As one of the people who wrote our mission statement, I can confirm
that it doesn't say ".. to push patent-unencumbered formats even at
the cost of user experience." Indeed, it doesn't mention free formats
at all, though I consider that an oversight.

What it does say is that it is our mission to "to disseminate
[educational content] _effectively_ and globally" (emphasis mine). I
don't believe that the current practice is in line with the goal of
_effective_ dissemination of educational content, and that we can
promote patent-unencumbered codecs while significantly increasing
effectiveness by supporting a Flash player and FLV video as _one_ of
multiple video playback methods. I am willing to put this to both a
community & a Board-level vote. But first we should collect data on
how many people currently have trouble playing video "out of the box".
-- 
Toward Peace, Love & Progress:
Erik

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