Red Hat Bugzilla – Bug 85017
RFE installation of MP3 / mpeg support, and RealOne players [after non-GPL acceptance]
Last modified: 2015-01-07 19:03:42 EST
From Bugzilla Helper: User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.2.1) Gecko/20030215 Description of problem: During firstboot, popup advised user that MP3 is not included with RED HAT distro due to licencing issues. IF user accepts licencing terms, redirect to Internet link (e.g. freshrpms.net to download and install). In the case of RealOne Player, redirect user to links for download and installation. (SEE also attachment of my comments on HOWTO and WHERETO, including compliance with Plugger) Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. During firstboot, advise user or issues WRT mp3 /mpeg support. 2. Advise of availablity of RealOne Player (Realplayer 9 for linux) 3. User accepts licencing terms and is redirecte to appropriate links. Actual Results: These are not availiable, notification WRT mp3/mpeg licencing issues is not immediataly clear (unfortunately, some users / installers _fail to_ READ the readmes on DISK 1, or the readmes are _not available_ for perusal, *during* INITIAL installation of code Expected Results: During firstboot, installation of mp3 / mpeg support and Realaudio/ Real video should be available to user (as su, ... in the case of mp3/mpeg codecs). Additional info: RFE in the interests of makig the distro more "user-friendly' to new users or those migrating from other OSes...
Created attachment 90329 [details] WHERE TO dl RealOne player, HOWTO install
Absolutely not. A) Pointing people at things that may violate the GPL is dishonest and potentially illegal. B) Pointing people at things that may violate patents is potentially illegal. C) Implicitly authorizing installation of third party software that is not tested or verified, and could even be potentially trojaned is a very bad security idea.
I guess I did not explain myself in sufficient detail (and I *did* forget to include some important comments WRT licencing). What I meant was NOT to inentionally thwart copyrights or encourage illegal downloading of software. WRT, the mp3 /mpg codec, my suggestion is to direct the user to a link, *AFTER* he/she has read a DISCLAIMER and WARNING that there is / maybe licencing restrictions, and that obtaining the code is "AYOR". As per the RealOne Player, again, only allow the user to download and obtain the code, *after* acceptance of and perusal of the licencing / copyright agreement (to wit: something to the effect:"... and I agree and confirm that my downloading and usage of this software is solely for personal use, under the terms of the GPL and/or RealAudio. That said, however, I won't pursue this any further, as can understand the mess caused by the Mp3/mpg issue. Would a simple textfile MUST READ readme suffice to warn the user of WHY these codes are NOT included, and directing them to "search Google instead" suffice? As much as one might like ogg to be a widely accepted format. The fact that the dominating format *is* mp3 ... unless Red Hat includes a converter ... with the CAVEAT that the conversion severely affects the sound quality? My intention with this RFE was to make life easer for those migrating to linux, but in fact, "easier said than done", alas.