Re: [Fsfe-uk] BBC, DRM & MS [was Fw: [sf-uk-discuss] Ooh it makes me mad...]

[Chris Lale]

Richard Smedley wrote:
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:53:53 +0000
> From: "Chris Puttick" <address@hidden>
> To: address@hidden
> Subject: [sf-uk-discuss] Ooh it makes me mad...
>
>
>
> That they are even considering this one:
>
> Question from the BBC survey regarding public value and proposed new
> Internet services:
>
> "How important is it that the proposed seven-day catch-up service over
> the internet is available to consumers who are not using Microsoft
> software?"
>
> To send your answer to this question, go here:
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/open-consultations/ondemand_services.html
>
> Do circulate the existence of such a question from a publicly funded
> body - anyone got Slashdot connections? I just know we have Register
> connections. Anywhere else would be good too...
>
> Grrr.
>
> Chris
>
>   

Thanks. This are my replies to the question and question 12 in case 
anyone finds them useful starting points.

It is very important that non-Microsoft customers should be able to use 
the catch-up service over the internet, especially since the BBC is a 
public service. The BBC should not require any of its licence payers (or 
anyone else) to pay a third party corporation (eg Microsoft) in order to 
receive its content. This would be equivalent to saying that you are 
only allowed to receive World Service broadcasts on a radio produced by 
particular manufacturer.

*Question 12*
Are there any other issues you would like the BBC Trust to consider in 
relation to the proposed services?

Please consider the development and use of Free/Open Source software as 
an important aspect of maintaining the BBC's independence.


--
Chris.