comparison DOCS/users_against_developers.html @ 2930:511f8eba46be

Added pl's license text

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<P><B><I>Binary distribution of MPlayer</I></B></P>

<P>Tons of users asked us about this. For example Debian users tend to say: Oh,
I can <CODE>apt-get install avifile</CODE>, why should I <B>compile MPlayer</B> ?
While this may sound reasonable, the problem lies a bit deeper than
those-fuckin-MPlayer-developers-hate-gcc-2.96-and-RedHat-and-Debian.
<UL>
  <LI><B>MPlayer's</B> speed (MMX, SSE, fastmemcpy, etc) optimizations are
    determined during compilation. Thus a compiled binary contains very
    processor-specific code. An <B>MPlayer</B> binary compiled for K6 will die
    on Pentiums and vice versa. This has to be workarounded by runtime

    GUI depends on GTK, DivX4 depends on libdivxdecore, SDL depends on libSDL,
    every SDL release contains an unique bug that has to be workarounded during
    compiletime, X11 output compiles differently for X3 and X4, etc). You may
    say: yes, let's make 30 versions of downloadable binaries! We won't. We
    will make these stuff pluggable in the future.</LI>
  <LI><B>MPlayer</B> includes GPL codes, and some non-GPL ones
    (like OpenDivX alpha 48). Arpi's demuxers and other code has a special
    license which is like GPL with one exception: it doesn't allow binary
    distribution. Thus, anyone who distributes a binary which contains Arpi's
    code (which is the core of <B>MPlayer</B>) is doing a <B><I>FORBIDDEN
    THING</I></B> ! For example that french guy called <B>Christian
    Marillat</B> who denied our request, and is still distributing binary
    Debian packages of <B>MPlayer</B>, despite the fact that there was at least
    one user who downloaded it and failed (of course compiling from source
    helped him). And there is <B>Guillaume Rousse</B>, who is doing the same,
    but making RPMs for Mandrake. Please understand : we're trying to be GPL,
    but there are still problems to resolve. Don't come and flame, instead help
    (or better, stay quiet). Thanks.
</UL>

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2930:511f8eba46be

<P><B><I>Binary distribution of MPlayer</I></B></P>

<P>Tons of users asked us about this. For example Debian users tend to say: Oh,
I can <CODE>apt-get install avifile</CODE>, why should I <B>compile MPlayer</B> ?
While this may sound reasonable, the problem lies a bit deeper than
those-fuckin-MPlayer-developers-hate-gcc-2.96-and-RedHat-and-Debian.</P>

<P>Reasons: <B>Law</B></P>

<P><B>MPlayer</B> describes the <U>sourcecode</U>. It contains several files with incompatible
licenses especially on the redistribution clauses. As source files, they are
allowed to coexist in a same project.</P>

<P>Therefore, <U>NEITHER BINARIES NOR BINARY PACKAGES OF <B>MPlayer</B> ARE ALLOWED TO EXIST SINCE
SUCH OBJECTS BREAK LICENSES</U>. PEOPLE WHO DISTRIBUTE SUCH BINARY PACKAGES ARE
DOING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.</P>

<P>So if you know somebody who maintains a binary package then forward her/him
this text and (ask him to) contact us. What (s)he is doing is illegal and IT IS
NO LONGER <B>MPlayer</B>, but <U>his/her</U> mplayer. If it breaks, it is
his/her fault. Don't come and cry on the <B>MPlayer</B> mailing lists, you will
most likely be blacklisted.</P>

<P>For example that french guy called <B>Christian Marillat</B> who denied our
request, and is still distributing binary Debian packages of <B>MPlayer</B>,
despite the fact that there was at least one user who downloaded it and failed
(of course compiling from source helped him). And there is <B>Guillaume
Rousse</B>, who is doing the same, but making RPMs for Mandrake. Do not support
criminals!</P>

<P>Reasons: <B>Technical</B></P>

<P>
<UL>
  <LI><B>MPlayer's</B> speed (MMX, SSE, fastmemcpy, etc) optimizations are
    determined during compilation. Thus a compiled binary contains very
    processor-specific code. An <B>MPlayer</B> binary compiled for K6 will die
    on Pentiums and vice versa. This has to be workarounded by runtime

    GUI depends on GTK, DivX4 depends on libdivxdecore, SDL depends on libSDL,
    every SDL release contains an unique bug that has to be workarounded during
    compiletime, X11 output compiles differently for X3 and X4, etc). You may
    say: yes, let's make 30 versions of downloadable binaries! We won't. We
    will make these stuff pluggable in the future.</LI>
</UL>

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