[senit] BBC plan to prevent access to disabled computer users

I'd have to agree with Mark here - Apple's DRM is not of their own  
choosing and is based purely on the pressures of the music and film  
industry. Steve Jobs has written a very thoughtful piece setting out  
his and Apple's stance on their website:
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

Much more important than whether our own BBC choose to use either  
Microsoft or Apple's DRM is that they respect the views of the Trust  
and ensure that their solution works with all players. Apple have an  
outstanding reputation for promoting open standards and free tools -  
witness their QuickTime Broadcaster:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/broadcaster/

Sean O'Sullivan
sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk
Deputy Headteacher
Frank Wise School, Banbury
http://www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk

http://www.parkroadict.co.uk

On 20 Feb 2007, at 14:07, webmaster at aylesburyvale-sec.bucks.sch.uk  
wrote:

>
> From: "Simon Evans" <simon at senteacher.org>
>> the least - it's Apple's DRM that prevents support
>> natively.
>
> No, it is the fact that the BBC have chosen only to use
> Microsofts DRM system which isn't compatible with Apples.
> The Beeb knew this when they made this decision. Basically
> the BBC have decided that they will only provide these new
> services to Microsoft customers.
>
> The trust have insisted the Beeb develop a DRM system that
> will work with Apple and Linux within a 'reasonable
> timeframe'. This could mean anything. Meanwhile disabled
> users of Apple Macs will not have access to these services.
>
> This is merely a continuation of the BBCs incompetent use of
> 'branded' formats (such as real and wmv) instead of
> something like the open version of the H.264 codec.
>
> I still recommend that senit readers visit the public
> consultation link and ask the BBC to consider disabled users
> who aren't microsoft customers.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Mark Norwood
> www.avssc.org
> "How can one not be fond of something that the Daily Mail
> despises?" (Stephen Fry)