Hi there,

For some reason AVI files can't be played on SUSE with the basic installation. Other distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, Mandriva...etc, which I have tried before, have all the codecs needed to play AVI files without any extra work. (if anyone know the reason behind this please share)

Now, for those who prefer SUSE, like me, I found this nice web page that has clear instructions on how to add the needed codecs so you are able to play your AVI files So, for the sake of info sharing, enjoy the link below:

http://susewiki.org/index.php?title=Video_Codecs


Linuxlainen

Nope, it's not "just you". I spent most of yesterday (and a couple of 2 hour sessions during the last week) sorting out a failing hard drive (not failed yet, but ...........).

Anyhow, my install of Sidux (a debian Sid/unstable based distro) and the subsequent install of "iceweasel" (the debian version of firefox - renamed due to copyright issues) showed me that I had to do something to get .avi, .wmv, .wma and some other file types to play - the sidux install played .mpegs, .mp3's etc etc "out of the box".

It seems that this is mostly arse covering. Lots don't realise, but even file formats as common as .mp3 are actually "owned" (i.e. copyrighted) by someone, and as such, there can be legal ramifications for proper, open distributions. SuSE (owned by Novell, which I'm sure you're aware of) come under the umbrella of "major player" in the linux world, and therefore, have a larger arse to cover than some of the other players.

They (SuSE that is) aren't the only ones who won't distribute the codecs for common file formats. I understand that Redhat don't either (another "big player"), plus a few others. Actually I understand that if you where a "paid for" customer of Novell/SuSE (read that as corporate) then you'd find that "they" would have played out of the box - but thats another story. Theres plenty of info on the net about Novell/SuSE doing the deal with MS to protect customers who use their software, from possible breaches of MS patents (alledged patents, they seem to be refusing to divulged which of their patents might actually be infringed by Linux in general).

regards

John

BigJohn you have really put the problem into perspective for me and others who have the same questions,computer users who are faced with this are in total frustration, if they need to use Linux because of financial constraints they find that they are not able to view or play their own content be it music or photos. Someone needs to take the giant monopoly apart but am not sure I will see this, I am 64,perhaps a younger generation will.
Thank you for sharing with the community, you are right on target.

nowadays playing of media files shouldnt be a problem in linux ... you just have to do it yourself once and for all ...

the next thing would be a "no-brainer" conversions between media formats and their utilizations in every possible ways(as much as possible) ... but guess that mostly you still need to do it yourself once and for all in your own computer ...


//you dont actually need windows ...

[BTW ::] the usage of proper super fast two-paned filemanager , a very fast text editor and a fast x terminal can be important at this stage ... then you can go for everything else later on with your home desktop without looking back ...


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