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Journal: BBC Flash-based iPlayer brings shows to Wii?

Journal by Thwomp

According to this story the BBC is looking at developing a Flash-based version of their iPlayer to deliver BBC content to Mac and Linux users. Currently they only have a service which caters for Windows users.

This may be good news for British Wii owners. There is a good chance that the Flash-based player will work on all platforms that support Flash, including the Wii's Opera browser! Fingers crossed they'll include a full-screen option so you can watch shows comfortably on your TV like nature intended.

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Journal: Comic Relief Music Video On YouTube... Unbelievable! 1

Journal by Thwomp

I was searching through YouTube for Comic Relief clips from Friday night's extravaganza and I came across the Peter Kay/The Proclaimers music video. I could not believe that somebody had posted a video that had the sole purpose of raising money for charity. In the comments the poster tries to justify posting it using some kind of bizarro-world logic:

This video may not be coyprighted to me BUT... I downloaded it from the iTunes Uk Store this evening! So don't take it off for copyright infrigement because I've downloaded it legally! Thanks.

Oh well, my mistake, that's alright then! Nevermind that you're defrauding every person involved in the project and, even worse, the people who might have benefited from that extra bit of money. I guess morality just isn't an issue for some people. I checked the posters profile and apparently they want to be a film maker. Yeah well good luck with that, I'm sure the BBC et al. will look favourably upon you.

You can donate to Comic Relief here and you can purchase the music video in question (not just from iTunes) here.

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Journal: BBC iPlayer Not Just For Windows! 2

Journal by Thwomp
It seems that on various sites (and petitions!) people are making a big issue about the BBC's iPlayer being restricted to Windows DRM only. While it's true that it only works on Windows at the moment the BBC Trust has asked the BBC to investigate a platform antagonistic solution so it can also work on Macs and Linux. You can even see this conclusion in their Public Value Test:

The BBC Executive proposes a digital rights management solution which would require consumers to be using Windows XP (or above) and Windows Media Player 10 (or above) to be able to access seven-day TV catch-up over the internet. The PVA noted that we would expect the BBC to adopt a platform-agnostic approach. The MIA also identified benefits to a platform-agnostic approach.

We propose to require the BBC Executive to adopt a platform-agnostic approach to rights management within a reasonable timeframe. The MIA notes an expectation that the BBC Executive plans to develop a Real Player alternative in the near future. Our understanding is that the BBC Executive aspires to offer an alternative DRM framework, which would enable Apple and Linux users to access the service, but has yet to identify a satisfactory solution. In either case, we will expect this to have been addressed within 24 months.

While it's clear they don't have a solution just yet I'm confident the BBC will come up with something that will include all operating systems. Presently the BBC Trust is holding a public consultation for on-demand services. I would strongly recommend giving feedback if you don't like what they're doing or have any other ideas.

I hate how stories like this just echo around the Internet. Doesn't anyone check anything these days!?


Journal: Amazon.co.uk All Wii'd Out

Journal by Thwomp

Well that's no surprise! What I didn't expect was how fast it actually happened and how late Amazon was with opening the pre-orders. It was closer to 10am when I saw the product page update to allow pre-orders and by the time I had added a Wii to my basket I could already see a problem:

"We're sorry. The item Nintendo Wii Console (Includes Wii Sports) is no longer available"...

Hmm, not quite fast enough... However I have to give credit to Amazon for limiting pre-orders to the number of units they have for launch. All I can say is I'm glad I didn't wait for Amazon and pre-ordered with Game in September, although a guaranteed Wii from Amazon would have been nice.

If you didn't manage to get one don't despair just yet! Amazon will get more Wii's but when this will happen is anyones guess. To be in with a shout make sure you sign up for the Wii e-mail notification and hopefully you'll get lucky.
