FREE/Open Source Alternatives
 

Hi!!

I am looking for FREE(as in FREEDOM) or Open Source versions of the following:

1) Java Runtime Environment (JRE; as required by apps like Frostwire/Limewire)
2) Flash Plugin for firefox

My distro is Arch Linux. Any suggestions will be appreciated! :)

1) JRE is open source now. there is the blackdown project rebuilding from source code, but still encumbered by licensing on older builds
2) nope. adobe.com

My understanding is that Sun has open sourced Java ... I'm not positive about the intricacies of that, though. Debian still includes it in their non-free repositories, but they do have a source package.

Beyond that, your best bet is probably GIJ.

For a Flash replacement, my choice is Gnash.

swfdec
 

Swfdec is probably the best choice. It can decode most of the videos on Youtube's site and handles most of flash 7 and below stuff. Get the releases from the blog here: http://www.advogato.org/person/compa....html?start=36
Flash+plugin available.

For Flash, see Gnash

Ok!! I have managed to get Swfdec to work with my distro, but not good enough luck with Gnash. :( I just checked the youtube site, and on first looks, the videos seem to play ok!!
Anyway, how do the two (Gnash and Swfdec) compare??

And about open source JRE : from what version onwards has it become open sourced?? And how can I get that version?? The official sites doesnt seem to have got enough info (or maybe I have overlooked it)!! :(
The version that is installed for my distro (Arch Linux) is jre 6-2, and it seems to carry a closed-source license!!! :(