News: Why Linux Users Should Be Furious At BBCPosted on Tuesday, January 15 @ 16:15:56 GMT |
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 (Column) - Recently the BBC had a bit of a wake up call regarding numbers and how many Linux users were really out there. Why does any of this matter? It has to do with something the BBC provides called the iPlayer. Seriously, relying on ActiveX is so "1990's" that it's painful, and as luck would have it, the Linux users who wish to use this BBC player made sure that the BBC knew that they were making the sought after content inaccessible to those people using Linux.
No iPlayer for Linux Users, But There Will Be An Alternative. Based on what I have been able to gather thus far, it looks like we will see an Adobe Flash option coming out soon. Then again, who really cares? Seriously, if the BBC is this foolish to ignore how much Linux growth is taking place both in the UK as well as the surrounding countries, then maybe people ought to be looking elsewhere? Is it because this is indeed, the BBC? So there is the belief that this is the people's media? Up until now, I enjoyed much of what the BBC had to offer, but this entire thing is enough to have pushed me away.
I do not support those who do not support my choice of operating systems. The very idea of using ActiveX is right up there with the old days of Web browsing back when Websites used to have those buttons that explained that a site was best viewed with a specific browser. ActiveX is a tired, dated technology, and it needs to be put to bed.
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How Are 16,000 People Not Getting BBC's Attention? Thus far, the official word on that alternative for Linux and Mac users is "as soon as possible." Again, why is anyone bothering to support an entity that treats their viewers like this? It's just like me rushing out to purchase music from groups that support DRM.
The entire issue with the BBC is just the tip of a much larger iceberg that is only now beginning to show itself. Other media groups throughout the world will be facing similar issues as Linux users are growing very tired of the old notice "must be using Windows and IE 6+ to view." Welcome this as it begins to hit the fan on US shores as well.
Yet at the end of the day, much of the media is still living five years ago. Sunk into the belief that this is still a Windows world and if you are not using Internet Explorer, then you are not worth bothering with. Yes, that is right. To much of the mainstream media, desktop Linux users are seen as freeloading, few in number individuals that refuse to play ball with the media establishment. In reality, we Linux users have been known to stand for choice, not lemming-like behavior. And yes, we are very brand loyal, especially to those who show us the same kind of loyalty.
A Lesson Learned Or Just the Start of a Very Heated Battle for Respect? Personally, I'm not at all convinced that the BBC is rushing out to fix anything. Unless there is a clear dire need to do so, change is just not something that the media does well. And in the particular instance with the iPlayer, the BBC is presented with an opportunity to do the right thing and allow everyone to enjoy the content that they have available for their viewers. Unfortunately, BBC and other broadcasters will likely continue to follow in the usual tradition of doing whatever they deem to be the path of least resistance. And in many cases, this means sticking to Internet Explorer.
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Posted on Tuesday, January 15 @ 16:15:56 GMT |
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