Hi all!
Thanks for taking the time to make some posts - it's been good reading them.
On the subject of
https://shop.fluendo.com/, yes, there is an option there for getting legal support for formats such as MP3 and DVD, but I still believe that my point is a valid one - there absolutely zero mention of Fluendo or any other method for getting legal codecs. The only advice it to download restricted codecs and then accept or decline the license agreement. Period.
Now I guess that some of you are probably saying that there's no need for this information to be made available because "everyone knows about Fluendo" ... I don't buy that, and if that was the case, why point to the restricted codecs because surely everyone knows about them too, no?
To those who say that software patents are a mess, I agree, but unfortunately things don't seem like they're going to change.
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@devhan: You said:
"The basic idea that you aren't aware of is this: How can a *free* operating system contain any non-free peices legally? It can't. Someone has to pay those license fees. This is why Linux only ships with free software--so that it can be downloaded for free! Understand?"
OK, then when I try to play a DVD or an MP3 file aren't I directed to where I can legally buy them? Is this perhaps because the Linux community tries to maintain the illusion that software can be 100% free when it's not possible?
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As always, feedback is welcomed!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes