I am not a gamer, but I checked out the site. For now the service will only
be offered in the continental U.S., requires a browser plugin (no mention of
type or if it's free software or proprietary) and a 5MB internet connection.
Going back to the discussion on reasons for adoption (or lack of) fully free
software, I would like to throw out some ideas and see what others think. The
purpose of this is to seek out ideas or suggestions on how we can best use
the resources we have to increase awareness and usage of fully free systems.
Also, if this should be better in a separate thread let's do that.
First, let's look at the types of OS:
(A) Fully free (Trisquel, GNewSense, etc).
(B) Hybrid - Starts free and adds binary blobs or proprietary
drivers/packages (Ubuntu, etc).
(C) Fully proprietary (Windows, OSX).
Next, let's look at the type of users:
(1) Personal, power user (gamer, video production, etc)
(2) Personal, recreational user
(3) Business user
For user (1), it seems the user's functional needs are best met by systems
(B) and (C), with the main stumbling block to (A) being drivers. Of course
of these two, we prefer that users choose (B). For now we can purchase
hardware with free drivers and put pressure on manufacturers with non-free
drivers. Personally, given the size of our community, I'm not sure if they
really care, although that's not a reason to give up. Potential to gain
fully free software users - limited to medium.
For user (2), it seems that system (A) should be able to meet all the user's
functional needs and respects the user's freedom. This is my category.
There may be some content (internet, DVD, etc) with limited accessibility,
but we have the choice to not use that content. Potential to gain fully free
software users - large.
For user (3), it seems that system (A) could be able to meet all the user's
functional needs, depending on the type of content needed in the course of
conducting business. There are free software versions of office suites,
accounting software, and the like. There is TN5250 for those that need
access to AS/400 systems. Most business users I know don't need 3D or
special effects, and other than having dual monitors use have very basic
video needs without eye candy. As long as specialized proprietary programs
are not used, the potential to gain full free software users in this area
could be large. Other than the use of specialized proprietary programs, two
areas that need to be overcome are the use of Flash for some web content and
use of certain codecs.
With respect to Flash, as personal users we can choose not to use sites that
depend on Flash, but for business users this may not be viable. One entity
that uses Flash for web content is the U.S. Government (I don't think they
should, but that's another issue). I ran a test from one site that states
"Flash version 7 or higher is required" using both Gnash and Swfdec. Using
the website's dectection tool, Gnash showed as Flash 10.1.999 and Swfdec
showed as Flash 9.0.999, however, the content did not display for either one.
As for the codecs, I understand that use of patented codecs may not pose a
serious concern for personal users, but for business users it may be another
issue.
This is rather long, but I wanted to put this out there and see what the
response is. It has been years since I've done any major programming, but
one area I can help with is building awareness and financial support for
those that build and maintian the OS.
