Talk:Flash player

The GNU Flash player (gnash) already runs on the OLPC; it was ported by its main developer, Rob Savoye in late December 2006. OLPC "./configure" support is in gnash CVS, but the last gnash tarball release (0.7.2) is from before those changes. I believe gnash works as a plugin to the OLPC browser, too. Gnash is not integrated into the standard OLPC software load.

Gnash strives to be Macromedia Flash compatible, but still has a long way to go. Many flash movies, particularly earlier ones, work. Many do not. Video (youtube, etc) does not yet work, but active work is going into it. Many ActionScript classes and methods remain to be implemented. A dedicated team of hackers is pushing it along.

Why not just include the actual Adobe Flash player?

Why are we using a less stable, less up to date player? Why not just install the latest flash version from Adobe?

My understanding is it's because Adobe flash is closed-source proprietary software (contrast open source) which would be illegal to (re)distribute in/from the US, and inconsistent with project goals. Some individual countries may choose to include it. Closed source means you can't internationalize it, can't tune it for kids, can't add collaboration, and in general, world communities cannot easily deal with it. The usual "redistribution is officially illegal, but unofficially encouraged to help maintain market share and discourage competition" doesn't help here. MitchellNCharity 15:16, 28 August 2007 (EDT)

Adobe and Mozilla Foundation to Open Source Flash Player Scripting Engine

On November 7, 2006, Mozilla and Adobe announced that the Flash Player would be open to the open source community for integration into projects like SpiderMonkey, Mozilla's script engine for Firefox based on the Flash Player code base. The open source project, code named "Tamarin" can be reviews at: Tamarin Project Web Site[1]. This change may create and opportunity for a license free distribution of the Flash Player. (comment submitted by: dlmerryweather@gmail.com)--24.243.185.112 18:17, 30 November 2007 (EST)

Nope, that's just ActionScript. That could be reused for JavaScript, which is similar. The bulk of Flash Player is still closed-source and still patent-affected. 24.110.145.202 03:52, 1 December 2007 (EST)

Performance

Just installed it to use with Firefox...everything Flash runs incredibly slow/jerky. YouTube videos have perfect sound but the video seems to be something like 1-2 fps. Ideas? :( --Rhododendrites