The petition is here. It probably won't do any good, but it can't hurt.

http://www.petitiononline.com/Linflix/

Petition text:

I learned about it from my LUG.

In all seriousness, has an online petition ever worked for anything?

I would love to get Netflix for Linux, but I don't think this is going to get it done. It is looking up though, with Netflix pushing to more and more platforms. The Wii is slated to be supported soon, and there has been some talk of an iPhone client for awhile. If they do an Android client, we will be golden. Especially now that Hulu officially supports Linux.

Personally, I've given up on the hope of getting that (as long-time Netflix member). I think the problem is fundamentally an issue about DRM, and the practical and philosophical difficulties of securely implementing that for Linux users.

If you really want the Watch Now feature, best idea would be to just get the separate Roku player for $80 (which runs on Linux, by the way):

http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/

I just add stuff to my Instant Queue and then hop on my XBox 360 and watch them there in HD. On a related topic I just got this from Hulu with my new OS installation.
Linky

One thing is for sure- doing NOTHING about it will absolutely result in nothing. Right now it is up to 4318, but I bet it would be a lot higher if the word got out. I am under no delusion that the petition will carry much weight, but It only takes a minute to sign the petition, so why not?

You are running 64 bit Linux?

I have no trouble watching Hulu with my 64 bit quad-core processor and 32 bit Linux, using Firefox 3.5.8

The hulu.com thing is annoying to me as well. I have Ubuntu 9.04-AMD64 installed and hulu works fine there, but I imagine that I it's a multilib system (only really use that machine for work) and haven't bothered to look into it. It is annoying on my pure 64 slack install.

So what? I just use my Linux based Palm Pre phone to access a Linux Program to access my queue anywhere then watch the video on my Linux based TiVo HD? Your point is???

That doesn't change the fact that many thousands of Linux users would like the ability to WATCH Netflix on their Linux desktops and laptops.

I think his point is that the vast majority of Netflix subscribers (regardless of what OS they are running) would rather stream content to their TV than watch it on the computer. Software streaming has always been more of a proof of concept for Netflix, it has never been one of their driving goals. Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) has said in multiple interviews that their focus is perfecting streaming to the living room, which is why they put all their development into STBs and now the Netflix players for all 3 major home video game consoles. Indeed, streaming to the home is now the long-term direction for the company as a whole, as several small changes to the site and their operating principles (putting streaming before DVDs, trading delayed DVD releases for additional streaming content, etc) have shown.

Of course it would be a nice little bonus to have it stream to any desktop OS, but Netflix is not going to put the effort into that anytime soon. It is same reason they have not developed any mobile Netflix player, even though the market for smartphones (primarily iPhone and Android) is massive and all to eager to spend money on apps.

Realistically, who is really to benefit? With as common as Netflix-enabled devices are now, and as cheap as a dedicated STB like Roku is, how much of a market is there for people who want to stream just to their computer? Most people are willing to put out the little bit of extra cash to get streaming on their TV, and until that changes, Netflix is unlikely to put any more development dollars into their desktop software. Especially considering how wrapped up it is in Silverlight.

done, but sadly with only 4k people on that petition it will not get notice. not until it hits closer to 100k will netflix start to care.

I signed, but really what I'd prefer is for a proper open standard be used for all online video. Silverlight will never have proper linux support and even flash on 64 bit linux is useless.