Logs
A rant.
One interesting thing in my server logs is that people keep finding this diary through searches for things like "download LinDVD", "LinDVD download", or "real media save to disk" (and various permutations). This is slightly ironic.
I'm high up in the list of results for "LinDVD download" on Google.de.
Unfortunately for people trying these searches, my diary isn't providing access to copies of the software in question. Instead, I was criticizing LinDVD as a bad thing (proprietary software technically inferior to its free software rivals, providing fewer features that users want, and giving a spurious justification for the motion picture industry's claims).
Maybe it's good that people who want to download LinDVD will find my comments. Maybe they'll be inspired to write letters to IBM about not wanting to pay for DVD-CCA licenses (although the "I won't buy computers from customers of licensees of trade associations that sue my colleagues" argument sounds a bit convoluted if you're not involved in the issue). Maybe they'll be inspired to use free software and avoid arbitrary restrictions like region codes. But probably people who wanted to download LinDVD will be frustrated by finding pages of criticism of the program. (There's a reason you can't download LinDVD, though -- because it's proprietary software, and you only get it on OEM systems.)
It's a similar situation with the RealMedia thing: I talk about a program called StreamBox VCR, which I thought was a good and useful program, and is a program which lets you save streams to disk. However, the reason I talk about it is not that I know how you can get a copy, but because there was an important lawsuit in which Real sued StreamBox and succeeded in suppressing the program. So in this case my point is again not to tell you how to get a copy of the program, but to complain about a legal and political situation, and to criticize Real for their proprietary format and for using litigation to prevent other people from making interoperable software that provides better features.
If you are looking for these programs, I can't help you find them; my point is that it should not be difficult to find Linux DVD player software, or RealMedia "VCR" software, but in practice it can be, because of copyright interests and astonishing expansions in copyright law. Therefore, you can write a letter to Real (Rob Glaser, CEO, RealNetworks, Inc., PO Box 91123, Seattle, WA 98111-9223, U.S.A.) expressing your displeasure with their efforts to prevent you from getting software (written by third parties) which would let you save streams to disk -- an activity which is comparable to the function of a VCR. You can write to IBM (I haven't been able to figure out a physical address for people who are responsible for Linux at IBM) telling them that you want software like LiViD or Xine or other free DVD players shipped on their laptops, instead of LinDVD.
You can join the EFF or volunteer there. If EFF wins its current trade secret and copyright-related legal cases, you will have more access to software which will give you more flexibility and control in the use of media you buy. Otherwise, perhaps you should move to a non-WIPO country. :-)
