On Wed, Jun 23, 2004 at 11:21:21PM +0100, Rowan Collins [IMSoP] wrote: [...]
My main problem about non-free formats is partly ideological ("gnu world"), but most importantly practical: to use a format we need _encoders_ and _decoders_ *generally* available under most platforms.
"Available but not useable legally" is probably not acceptable, so mp3 is out of question no matter how popular it is: you either paid the licence for your encoder [and probably decoder too!] or you're screwed. (Yes, exceptions may apply but it means that the format is not *generally* available.) Same problem I guess with RealMedia: I do not remember having an available (legal, free) un*x encoder around.
I do not think we should PAY anything for using a format when it's not absolutely necessary. And I do not think we should use a format which makes contribution impossible for a definitive amount of contributors just because they do not fit in the exception section of a commercial license.
(I still wonder how many formats have free, available linux *encoders* apart from Theora. It would make automatic conversion possible, but I have my strong doubts about their suspected availability. Debating about nonexisting or nonavailable software is pretty uselss.)
Peter