[ubuntu-uk] Petition the BBC! - Post your iPlayer response

[Chris Rowson]

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the BBC iPlayer.

I understand you are annoyed by the possibility that the new on-demand
services will be limited to Microsoft Windows users.

We work hard to provide internet services on a platform agnostic basis
and we're committed to using open standards where possible.

We have always planned to evolve the technical systems continuously
from launch and aim to broaden the availability of the service as
quickly as is reasonably possible.

However, we also have to balance objectives against:

(i) Demands of our rights holders

(ii) Viability of alternative technical solutions

(iii) Value for money to the licence fee payer


The proposed technical approach (described in the application)
represents the initial solution for delivering the proposals as widely
as possible.

At launch we expect to deliver the seven day catch-up over the
internet proposal using a combination of streaming and Microsoft DRM
protected download. Where programming is streamed it will be available
to users of Apple and Linux systems, though the amount of programming
delivered via streaming will be limited.

I hope this goes some way to explain our position on the matter. Your
comments have been fully registered and added to our daily audience
log. This is an internal document that is made available to the web
production teams and senior BBC management.



Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.



Regards


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Thank You



-----Original Message-----





You wrote:
{Date:}             15/07/2007
{Feedback Type:}    Complaint

{Title:}            Mr
{First Name:}       Chris
{Last Name:}        Rowson


{Email:}            christopherxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
{Phone:}
{Postcode:}        XXXX XXX
{Country:}          England

{About:}            General
{Network:}





{Programme Name:}
{Transmission Date:}

{Comments:}
To whom it may concern,

I'm writing to you to outline a couple of areas where I do not believe
that the BBC is meeting the essential criteria outlined in the BBC
charter.

The BBC utilises Microsoft technologies without offering an alternative
Linux, free or open source alternative in these cases:

* The BBC Integrated Media Player (IMP) which requires Windows and Media
Player 10

* The BBC 3D photo project found here www.bbc.co.uk/britain

I have outlined why I believe this strategy doesn't meet the charter and
identified the parts of the charter I believe you are not meeting.

* If you deliver content that can only be used by licence payers with
Microsoft software you reinforce Microsoft's market monopoly. When you
reinforce the monopoly you damage Microsoft's competitors. ---- "...have
regard to the competitive impact of the BBCÂ's activities on the wider
market; and ensure that the BBC observes high standards of openness and
transparency."

* By demonstrating a closed attitude towards technology and content
where an open solution exists or can be built in partnership with the
open source community you loose your independence. ---- "...be
independent in all matters concerning the content of its output, the
times and manner in which this is supplied..."

* Relying upon only one company or organisation to provide an important
part of service delivery ties you into one vendor
*** Original message truncated ***


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