On Fri, May 21, 2004 at 12:01:10PM -0600, Robin Laing wrote:
I still feel that this issue needs to be on the desktop of new installs for new users. This could be included in my suggestion of a MM icon install on the desktop. Like the license agreements that most people don't even look at. Let them know that they accept the legal responsibilities of installing the mp3 plugins, DeCSS etc.
I am so sick of reading nonsense reviews that suggest that Fedora Core
is "crippled" because it doesn't include multimedia software with
licensing problems.
In FC3, perhaps we can replace the FC2 "Thank you" in the installer with a nice long rant regarding software freedom, licensing, and the evils of software patents and crap like the DMCA?
The same rant should be linked from the Release Notes.
Hmm, maybe I should Bugzilla an RFE ...
And as I've said before, a level of indirection solve the problem -- point users to Fedora Tracker, and let them search for what they need. But first they should understand the licensing issues.
Regards,
Bill Rugolsky
I do agree that Fedora core isn't crippled in that the necessary software is easily accessible off of the net. The problem is for many that they don't know how to do this or what to look for. As many Linux advocates would like Linux to replace Windows (I would) and many on this list would like the version of Linux to be Fedora, not SUSE or Mandrake.
Why not come up with an idea that will point those coming from the Windows domain on how easy it is to install software and upgrade from the start. At least this would not conflict with the issue of licenses.
I would love to get my in laws onto Linux and I love how easy it is to use Fedora. I don't mind search the net or even compiling my own src code. I cannot expect my mother-in-law to do this. She has a hard enough time updating her anti-virus in Windows.
Now in regards to fedoratracker.org. I did a search and there are no packages that will play mp3's or DVD's if I search the description for DVD/dvd or MP3/mp3. Not much help to the issue of helping that person at home that doesn't know plugins from upgrades. Now this is an issue with the search engine but it illustrates what I am trying to say. I know that mplayer, xine, xmms plugins are listed but are not found with a simple search.
My original suggestion of supplying a link or script to help people could point to fedoratracker with a description on how to search for the necessary applications.
-- Robin Laing
