If I install the multimedia codecs such as flash player am I really still using a GNU/Linux system that is free?
I would like some input on this before I decide to install flashplayer and .wmv codecs.
Thank You,
In some cases the software that is used to decode is open source but the codecs themselves are patented. It is up to the laws in your jurisdiction if it is legal to use them. Obviously something like flash is wholly proprietary.
I would say if you do install such software; The system being still completly free is a resounding no. If is up to your own personal beliefs if that is an isssue. Personally I do selectively use non-free software and see no problem with it.
On Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:56:01 +0000, Paul world10 wrote:
> If I install the multimedia codecs such as flash player am I really
> still using a GNU/Linux system that is free?
Not according to Richard Stallman and the FSF (which he founded), because
the codecs are patent-encumbered (as are the formats).
Jim
–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C
Could you help me only use free software player like vlc and gnash to apply gstreamer codecs to my computer? Is gstreamer like adobe flash also?
What do you mean by free ?
If you go by the free foundation definition of free, then since it is not allowable to modify the format/code associated with many of the codecs, to stay truely free you won’t be able to play a vast amount of the multimedia content present. … I would venture you will not be able to play back a vast majority, well over 50% and possibly 80% or more, although I have no reference/source to back up that ball park estimate of mine.
If you are interested in freedom to use an app to play a proprietary codec and are not worried about having no freedom to modify the codec, then you may be able to legally and freely (but NOT free per free software foundation of free) be able to play back most of the video formats.
So it boils down to, what do you mean by free ?
Thank you for your reply it is very helpful for me to be able to understand more each day.
On Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:56:01 +0000, Paul world10 wrote:
> Could you help me only use free software player like vlc and gnash to
> apply gstreamer codecs to my computer? Is gstreamer like adobe flash
> also?
If you install VLC from the OSS repository, you won’t have any of the
patent encumbered formats enabled, and it will be “free” by the FSF’s
definition.
Flash, AVI, mp3, and other formats are encumbered by patents. In the US,
you cannot legally play them without using a “non-free” (by FSF’s
definition) player.
You can legally play some of them with the Fluendo codecs.
gstreamer is something entirely different - it’s a pipeline, not a file
format/flash player.
Jim
–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C
Thank you for your prompt and educational response I do have a question:
What should I do if I want to follow the GNU/linux purity factor here with my fresh install of openSUSE 12.3?
would Gnash be a flash player I may be able to help with or work with in the line?
Is gstreamer supported by the Free software foundation?
Thank You,
On Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:46:01 +0000, Paul world10 wrote:
> Thank you for your prompt and educational response I do have a
> question:
>
> What should I do if I want to follow the GNU/linux purity factor here
> with my fresh install of openSUSE 12.3?
Don’t use file formats that are patent encumbered. Use only open
formats. Read the FSF’s stand on why these are a bad thing for computing
and educate yourself about the issues.
> would Gnash be a flash player I may be able to help with or work with in
> the line?
Gnash, in my experience, is missing a lot (it’s based on a reverse
engineering effort, so it’s not surprising that it’s not complete). It
amy work or may not.
> Is gstreamer supported by the Free software foundation?
You’d have to ask FSF - they don’t “support” it in the sense of “if it
doesn’t work, contact the FSF”, but you’d have to ask FSF or Richard
Stallman if they feel that it adheres to FSF’s principles.
Jim
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C