You should stop using a proprietary format like Windows Media Video for the streaming. Use something free and open source, like OGG stream, so all people can get access to it on all computer systems. Using a Windows-proprietary system is indefensible in a public access system.
Given that so many member government administrations are actually switching desktops to Linux, it seems wise to move to a streaming service which will allow both government employees and citizens to use it. Many millions of EU citizens run Linux - a publically available resource - on their desktops today. 'Market share' makes no sense when evaluating the relative popularity of desktop operating systems that are freely available, especially those whose user base is growing exponentially year on year.
Well, you should consider using open formats. Proprietary things remind me of a book written many years ago in which some sort of priests operated nuclear plants knowing absolutely nothing of the real technology. Kind of funny, isn't it?
Public data should never be encoded in proprietary formats - especially those controlled by a company that has been convicted of abusing their monopoly position.
There are no legal barriers to supporting Linux. Indeed, providing information to citizens in an open format that can be seen by all without purchasing expensive software is a responsible thing to do.
This is simply incompetence on the part of EU. Huge amounts of my tax money are wasted on this bureauratic nightmare as it is, I should at least be able to watch what is happening to my money.
The Council of the EU is supposed to represent us.
If we truly believe in open and free government, then a broadcast of what happens should be available to as many people as possible.
Public information requiring a convicted monopolist's OS (costing hundreds of dollars) to view it? This is our tax money! Rather scandalous, I would think. Please set a good example.
You are here to serve *all* of us in the EU so stop thinking from a buisiness/DRM standpoint and start thinking from the viewpoint of citizens. You know, the ones you should serve?
Im tottaly in favor of OpenSource formats support. For example, i hate when reading occasionally euronews website and they only support streamming through activeX meaning Microsoft IE only.
Its impossible to watch streams using other browsers like Opera or Firefox by normal means.
Stating that you can't add support for linux because its Open source is pure bullsh!t. I as an european cannot accept this. We still live in a democracy.
This data is public data and we are doing a disservice to our citizens when we force them to purchase specific vendor's OS in order
to access public data. Not everyone can afford Windows or a mac. Also if the public data is in an open format then the public will have access to it indefinitely
The question is not about supporting Linux. It is about supporting open standards. There are open standards for streaming video/audio media and what you get is support for all and any desktop operating system available today and in the future.
In a democracy, government institutions should provide public access to its proceedings without discrimination. The us of non-public, proprietary formats that are accessible only to those paying monopoly rents to a private company should be outlawed.
If the service is available for computer users, why then discriminate between operating systems? EU should not attach any strings to "a free" information.
