Restricted Multimedia Formats - The Solutions

[Santiago Roza]

Continuing with "Restricted Multimedia Formats - The Problem" ...
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2006-February/015770.html



*** Restricted Multimedia Formats - The Solutions ***

The problem with restricted multimedia formats has been described
[here].  Since it is a complex issue, any possible solution would
imply some kind of compromise.

Right now, there are two proposed solutions:

1) Making two versions of Ubuntu; one for countries with software
patents (equal to the Ubuntu we have now), and the other for the rest
of the world (with out-of-the-box support for MP3, DVDs, DivX, etc).

Pros: better out-of-the-box experience for non-USA users, might raise
patent awareness.
Cons: doesn't help users from the USA, requires the overhead of
maintaining two versions.


2) Including some kind of post-install wizard with Ubuntu, that asks
users if they live in a software-patent-country or not, and then
installs all the necessary packages (wether by downloading them or by
pulling them from the CD if bundling those files is legal).

Pros: better desktop experience for all users, might raise patent
awareness (slightly).
Cons: requires Internet connectivity.


--
Santiago Roza
Departamento I+D - Thymbra
santiago.roza at thymbra.com
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*** Restricted Multimedia Formats - The Solutions ***

The problem with restricted multimedia formats has been described [here].  Since it is a complex issue, any possible solution would imply some kind of compromise.

Right now, there are two proposed solutions:

1) Making two versions of Ubuntu; one for countries with software patents (equal to the Ubuntu we have now), and the other for the rest of the world (with out-of-the-box support for MP3, DVDs, DivX, etc).

Pros: better out-of-the-box experience for non-USA users, might raise patent awareness.
Cons: doesn't help users from the USA, requires the overhead of maintaining two versions.


2) Including some kind of post-install wizard with Ubuntu, that asks users if they live in a software-patent-country or not, and then installs all the necessary packages (wether by downloading them or by pulling them from the CD if bundling those files is legal).

Pros: better desktop experience for all users, might raise patent awareness (slightly).
Cons: requires Internet connectivity.