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)