Thank you for your e-mail regarding the BBC iPlayer. I understand you are annoyed by the possibility that the new on-demand services will be limited to Microsoft Windows users.
We work hard to provide internet services on a platform agnostic basis and we're committed to using open standards where possible. We have always planned to evolve the technical systems continuously from launch and aim to broaden the availability of the service as quickly as is reasonably possible. However, we also have to balance objectives against: (i) Demands of our rights holders (ii) Viability of alternative technical solutions (iii) Value for money to the licence fee payer The proposed technical approach (described in the application) represents the initial solution for delivering the proposals as widely as possible. At launch we expect to deliver the seven day catch-up over the internet proposal using a combination of streaming and Microsoft DRM protected download. Where programming is streamed it will be available to users of Apple and Linux systems, though the amount of programming delivered via streaming will be limited. I hope this goes some way to explain our position on the matter. Your comments have been fully registered and added to our daily audience log. This is an internal document that is made available to the web production teams and senior BBC management. Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. Regards BBC Information __________________________________________ Watch Saving Planet Earth from 24th June. Together we can help save the world's endangered wildlife. You can donate to the new BBC Wildlife Fund at www.bbc.co.uk/savingplanetearth, or by calling 08705-100-700 Thank You -----Original Message----- You wrote: {Date:} 15/07/2007 {Feedback Type:} Complaint {Title:} Mr {First Name:} Chris {Last Name:} Rowson {Email:} christopherxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx {Phone:} {Postcode:} XXXX XXX {Country:} England {About:} General {Network:} {Programme Name:} {Transmission Date:} {Comments:} To whom it may concern, I'm writing to you to outline a couple of areas where I do not believe that the BBC is meeting the essential criteria outlined in the BBC charter. The BBC utilises Microsoft technologies without offering an alternative Linux, free or open source alternative in these cases: * The BBC Integrated Media Player (IMP) which requires Windows and Media Player 10 * The BBC 3D photo project found here www.bbc.co.uk/britain I have outlined why I believe this strategy doesn't meet the charter and identified the parts of the charter I believe you are not meeting. * If you deliver content that can only be used by licence payers with Microsoft software you reinforce Microsoft's market monopoly. When you reinforce the monopoly you damage Microsoft's competitors. ---- "...have regard to the competitive impact of the BBCĂ‚'s activities on the wider market; and ensure that the BBC observes high standards of openness and transparency." * By demonstrating a closed attitude towards technology and content where an open solution exists or can be built in partnership with the open source community you loose your independence. ---- "...be independent in all matters concerning the content of its output, the times and manner in which this is supplied..." * Relying upon only one company or organisation to provide an important part of service delivery ties you into one vendor *** Original message truncated *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/