Linux Not for Democrats

hroit · 08-25-2008, 01:56 PM

To watch some of the fun political theatre at the Democrat Nat'l Convention in Denver, I logged on to http://www.demconvention.com.

It's got a video player allowing you to watch the convention live.
While the player will behave with Windows or Mac, and with IE, Firefox or Safari, it won't with Linux.

I'm afraid I know nothing about this, but I wonder:

Why is it necessary to have a special video player?

If a special player is so necessary, why can't it be altogether browser-integrated (and OS-independent) like, for instance, npr.org's audio player?

Too bad.

jackn

texasone · 08-25-2008, 02:02 PM

those *******s. I knew there was a reason I go green party all the way. there have been problems with websites like this such as cnn, etc.

klearview · 08-25-2008, 02:05 PM

The site uses Microsoft's $#£$^£#%ing Silverlight - which is not available for Linux.

Uncle_Theodore · 08-25-2008, 02:07 PM

Same thing as with the Olympics.

Quote:

Compatible operating systems:
Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, or a Mac with Tiger (OS 10.4) or Leopard (OS 10.5).
Compatible browsers:
Internet Explorer (version 6 or later), Firefox (version 2), or, if you are on a Mac, Safari (version 3.1) also works.

I'm libertarian myself, BTW, so, I don't care.

trickykid · 08-25-2008, 02:31 PM

I seriously doubt the Democrats know or care, they're politicians, not web developers. This usually falls on the shoulder of who they hired to develop the site. Bitch all you want, is it gonna change, no, cause they don't care, just like the millions of other sites that only work with IE.

thorn168 · 08-25-2008, 02:32 PM

The Green Party uses freeBSD

trickykid · 08-25-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorn168

The Green Party uses freeBSD

Probably not their choice, just the host provider they chose. They can care less what runs the back end, they just want a website developed by 3rd party sources.

XavierP · 08-25-2008, 02:43 PM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Jevan · 08-25-2008, 03:05 PM

There is Moonlight, which I have had some luck with, for non Windows and Mac users.

klearview · 08-25-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jevan

There is Moonlight, which I have had some luck with, for non Windows and Mac users.

How much luck did you have with it, Jevan, viewing real-life sites? I had none (if I understand correctly, currently there is no way to get sound, for example, and the whole thing is in early alpha).

Anyway, things like Silverlight make me smile watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crhxKNkZy-Y

j.todd · 08-25-2008, 07:21 PM

You could always watch it on tv..That's what I do. It puts less strain on the eyes.

bashyow · 08-25-2008, 07:30 PM

what the hells a 't.v' ?

klearview · 08-25-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashyow

what the hells a 't.v' ?

I was thinking the same thing

j.todd · 08-25-2008, 07:53 PM

It this thing. It plays moving pictures. With sound. And sometimes porn.

H_TeXMeX_H · 08-26-2008, 02:52 AM

Remember when it says, this video in HD, it uses M$ $ilverlight. Go M$ !