How Does Ubuntu Handle Codecs?

[John Bailo]

As an experienced Suse user, I know there are licensing difficulties for
codecs.

After installing a Suse distro, I have to configure YUM links to PackMan to
get the codecs necessary to play mp3s, mpegs, RealMedia and WinMedia.

How does Ubuntu handle this?

Does it simply bundle the codecs...if so, how does it handle licensing?

If not, what are the add-on sites, for allowing it to play these formats?

[ray]

There is a utility 'automatix' which facilitates installation of codecs
for ubuntu.

[Rick]

On Sat, 12 May 2007 16:44:17 -0700, John Bailo wrote:

I am sure you will get informed answers on the Ubuntu forums.

--
Rick

[John Bailo]

ray wrote:

Yes, but where does it get the codecs from?

A Ubuntu site?

Or a 3rd party site ( the way Suse users get them from PackMan )...

[ml2mst]

Yes, it's a 3rd party site:

http://www.getautomatix.com/

This adds a second package management system and downloads all the
stuff from its own repositories, which behaves similar to the basic
package management system on any Debian and Ubuntu system.

[John Bailo]

ml2mst wrote:

Are you sure this is where the codecs are downloaded from. Their FAQ says

"What is Automatix2?
Automatix2 is a graphical interface (written in python and bash) for
automating the installation of the most commonly requested applications in
some Debian based distributions."

So, it sounds more like YaST -- but I still wonder where it's repositories
are that handle the audio/video codecs.

And if they are coming from Automaticx, does Automatix hae licensing for
those codecs?

[Roy Schestowitz]

__/ [ John Bailo ] on Sunday 13 May 2007 06:54 \__

What's all the 'licensing' pitch. Are you trolling for Novell again?

--
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[NoStop]

John Bailo wrote:

Automatix doesn't carry any packages other than the Automatic package
itself. It provides a tool to facilitate getting a number of packages from
various mirrors. The majority of them are Ubuntu mirrors, but not all. To
answer your question specifically, one would have to watch as the downloads
happened with Automatix. If you're so fucking interested, install it and
watch.

Cheers.

--
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"No sane person wants Vista, so Microsoft is making sure they have no
choice."
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[[H]omer]

Verily I say unto thee, that Roy Schestowitz spake thusly:

> __/ [ John Bailo ] on Sunday 13 May 2007 06:54 \__

>> Automatix2 is a graphical interface (written in python and bash) for

>> automating the installation of the most commonly requested applications in
>> some Debian based distributions."
>>
>> So, it sounds more like YaST -- but I still wonder where it's repositories
>> are that handle the audio/video codecs.

http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/
{main,multiverse,restricted,universe}

>> And if they are coming from Automaticx

No. Automatix just alters the sources list.

>> does Automatix hae licensing for those codecs?

Since Automatix doesn't mirror those files, it's a moot question.

As for "licensing" WRT software patents, that is something that is
generally only applicable in the US. The servers for archive.ubuntu.com
are in the UK, and as such, Canonical are subject to UK law, which
currently does not recognise software patents:

"The Government remains committed to its policy that no patents should
exist for inventions which make advances lying solely in the field of
software. Although certain jurisdictions, such as the US, allow more
liberal patenting of software-based inventions, these patents cannot be
enforced in the UK."

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page11077.asp

As a US citizen, whether or not you (as a user) decide to ignore the
ill-conceived software patent and DMCA (libdecss) laws in the US, and
"import" that software from the UK, is a matter for your own conscience.
If the prospect of breaking laws, that were introduced by a bunch of
self appointed industry police, is more than you can bear, then
ultimately, of course, you could simply emigrate to a more enlightened
country.

Also see:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

> What's all the 'licensing' pitch. Are you trolling for Novell again?

--
K.
http://slated.org

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