Re: Macromedia Flash plugin 6 released for x86 Linux

[Warren Togami <warren@xxxxxxxxxx>]

John Kodis wrote:
> > The format is "open" only if you sign an NDA to receive the 
> > specifications.  If you read that page, you will see that they allow you 
> > to only make apps that output SWF files, not play SWF.
>
> There seems to be some ambiguity in the license.  While they
> specifically allow you to generate SWF files, I don't see any
> prohibition against writing software that can interpret SWF files
> listed in the "Restrictions" section of the agreement.
>
> I don't know whether these types of licences default to an assumption
> that anything not forbidden is allowed, or to Mr. Togami's assumption
> that anything not allowed is forbidden.
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/open/licensing/fileformat/license2.html
"... you are granted a nonexclusive license to use the Specification for 
the sole purposes of developing Products that output SWF."

I think "sole purposes" implies you cannot use the specification to 
implement a flash player.


Keith Winston wrote:
>>The format is "open" only if you sign an NDA to receive the
>>specifications.  If you read that page, you will see that they allow you
>>to only make apps that output SWF files, not play SWF.
>
>
> And this is a good reason to not use or support it.
>
> I guess flash can be useful for making kids web games, but I'd rather
> see java games.  Anyway, flash is one of the things that annoys me most
> about the web.
>
> Best Regards,
> Keith

Many share your view, but unfortunately Flash is one of those things 
that many end users (non-techies) think are absolutely necessary for a 
desktop operating system.  There is no way we will win the desktop 
battle against Windows without it.  For example at a LTSP thin client 
lab here in Hawaii usage was as low was 20% before Flash was functional. 
 A few months ago Flash 6 beta was released, and now the lab is being 
used 80% of the time and the school asked for another LTSP lab next 
semester.

While it is true that most uses of Flash are annoying advertisements, 
there are a few excellent examples of Flash used effectively to quickly 
convey information or educate.  Probably the best example that I've seen 
is Cisco's training site.  Many high schools have dozens to hundreds of 
kids learning about networking, java programming, Unix and even Linux 
from online tutorials made in Flash.  They can be are surprisingly 
effective supplements to classroom instruction.

Two other examples effective Flash:
http://www.redhat.com/software/linux/flash/redhat6_5.html
http://randomfoo.net/oscon/2002/lessig/free.html

Warren



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