Linux.com

When will linux.com give video in Free format like Ogg Theora?

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Please download the xVid versions of our videos. xVid is licensed under the GPL and gives a clearer picture than VP3 (Theora) for the same file size.

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Xvid is not a free format just because it is distributed under the gpl. It seems it is still patent encumbered due to being based off of MPEG-4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xvid#Patent_issues). Note that many other proprietary codecs have gpl code for playing and encoding them, this does not magically make them free either. Please talk to xiph.org about quality issues with Theora which are being worked on. Please read http://web.mit.edu/xiphmont/Public/theora/demo.html for an honest assessment of where Theora is and where it is going. I am not saying don't distribute whatever formats you wish but please also have a Ogg Theora link for those of us who want to view your content with a non-proprietary codec.

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You are welcome to transcode our videos to VP3/Theora and redistribute them if you wish.

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I can't. I don't own a license for the decoders of your chosen formats. I'm not trying to be unreasonable but I would think a site calling itself Linux.com would understand the motivations of the community it wants to serve. What makes it so hard for Linux.com to provide content in the Theora format? If it can't perhaps you can enlighten your readers as to why you can't.

--
John (J5) Palmieri

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If you are aware of VP3/Theora's technical deficiencies, you already know the answer to your question, and if you shy way from Xvid because it *may* infringe on someone's patents, then you can't use Linux, either. :) You may also want to remember Richard Stallman's repeated statement that it is permissible to use proprietary software if there is no free alternative available. NOTE: Mr. Stallman says this is not his position (even though he told me this in person some years ago). He writes, "In fact I say the exact opposite: people shouldn't use (or even
install) a non-free program. And people certainly shouldn't use a
format that requires other people to use a non-free program." An article about the relative freeness of various video delivery systems will be on Linux.com before long. Hopefully, it will clarify a few things.

If you seriously consider Theora an acceptable alternative (in a technical sense) to Flash/VP6 or Xvid, that is up to you. But please note that when we *have* offered Theora downloads, fewer than 1% of Linux.com readers used them in lieu of the Flash versions, while close to 10% download our Xvids instead of viewing the Flash ones.

A suggestion: in the long-run, it might do the world more good to help develop a high-quality free video delivery system than to spend your time trying to badger video producers into using Theora. Gnash and the associated Cygnal server platform look pretty promising, especially if they can come up with a patent-free method of handling H.264 (which I expect they can, eventually).

[Modified by: roblimo on December 18, 2007 04:47 PM]

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Great Job!!!
Thanks so much for the great Weekly Wire video's, They are somthing to look forward too.

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The wine doesn't look good. It feels like you are a wine adict :-P

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Ah, but if you look closely, you'll notice the level of wine in the glass barely changes. When the owner offered us a glass, it seemed the most polite response was, "Thank you." :-D

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I thought the wine was in good taste. It doesn't make you look like you are a wine addict. The person criticizing you must have issues where alcohol is concerned.

DougInKY

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Interesting.. I think the more desktop market share Linux gets the more 3rd party support it will get. Make your vote heard http://rtkls.com/content/8/what_percent_of_the_desktop_market_will_linux_have_in_10_years

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Please be loyal to your base and set an example for everyone else.... distribute your audio/video files in non-license encumbered formats!!! It isn't that hard :)

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Thanks for the 2nd weekly video, I appreciate your efforts.

re: shooting technique - last week we had distracting closeup shots, this week we have distracting wine and wine tasting. In addition, even though it looks as though you are using just one camera and switching angles to add interest, this is acceptable with better editing.

re: comments on open source and free formats - I agree but think some of the views are written with too harsh a tone. Maybe those 'angry' commenters should quieten down and be more polite.

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she seems nice ^_^

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Thanks for this nice & relaxed video of news from the Linux world and this site.
..Just drop the codec, camera direction and wine statements, try to look at the content.

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Thanks for the nice video.
But open standards are imporant and you have a lot of influence.
Please provide an Ogg/Theora version in the future.

Thanks again

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