The Archimedes Palimpsest

[Moochie]

I was a little perturbed to see advice to download RealPlayer in this week's commentary. For more than a few years now I've been warned to stay away from this software by people I trust. Apparently, this software comes with a host of nasties that most people would not like to have on their computers.

I stand to be corrected, so if anyone can clarify the situation vis-a-vis RealPlayer please do so. For now, there is no way I will have this software on my PC.

Regards,

M.

[empeake]

I avoid RealPlayer like the plague. I find it to be a resource hog, unstable, and intrusive, besides the fact that it messed up my preferences without even asking. It also has been found guilty of transmitting information without the users knowledge or consent. I haven't tried the newer versions, but the track record is a good warning to stay away from it. There's a reason why it made #2 in PC World's The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time list.

I use Real Alternative (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm) for streaming RealMedia files when no other option is availabe, but I find it to be very limited as a player. When necessary, I use SUPER © (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) to convert the RealMedia file to AVI or MPEG and use another player.

[orpheus]

I use a new Macbook. Do the same issues apply? I downloaded RealPlayer some time ago, and haven't experienced any problems that I know of...but now I'm worried.

[RCNelson]

There is a spyware free version of Real Media Player from the BBC radio web site. As part of their charter, they can not allow outside advertising, so they came to a deal with RealNetworks. You can download it from HERE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp_install.shtml).

[Hellbound]

I downloaded the Real Alternative plug-in for Windowsmedia player, and it works fine. Play em in the regular media player.

[rjh01]

I uninstalled realplayer and then downloaded the realplayer from the BBC site and can find no difference in anything. Is there a real difference that I can see or is it all a placebo?

[alfaniner]

Sort of on topic -- I thank Carl Sagan for introducing me to the concept of a "palimpsest". (In Contact.)

[SusanB-M1]

[QUOTE=RCNelson;1804131]There is a spywarefree version of Real Media Player from the BBC radio web site.]

Is there a way of telling whether the Real Player I have is the BBC one or something else? As far as I know it has not caused any problems.

[RCNelson]

I uninstalled realplayer and then downloaded the realplayer from the BBC site and can find no difference in anything. Is there a real difference that I can see or is it all a placebo?
I haven't run the normal realplayer from RealNetworks for so many years that I can't say for sure if there's any real difference any more. RealNetworks may have stopped the spyware since a couple of years ago when the BBC player split off from the regular player.

Is there a way of telling whether the Real Player I have is the BBC one or something else? As far as I know it has not caused any problems.
The install program for the BBC version of the player is called "rp10-bbc-en-setup.exe".