removed mp3 support in media players in fedora core 1

[Gordon Messmer]

Trevor Smith wrote:
> 
> There is no *legal* way to listen to MP3s in Linux? There is no free
> player?
 >
 > What exactly is the licensing issue we're talking about here?

There are Free Software players, just few under license terms that allow 
them to be distributed with Fedora Linux.

One Free Software player is the Helix player for Linux from 
RealNetworks, Inc.  I probably have to disclose that I am a RealNetworks 
employee (and stockholder).  I haven't installed the Helix player yet, 
so I can't tell you much about its quality.  However, it is 
appropriately licensed for inclusion in Fedora Core (or Extras).

Other than the Helix player, pretty much every single MP3 player or 
library available for Linux is licensed under the GPL.  The GPL states 
that if, for any reason (including patents), you can not distribute the 
software such that all recipients have full rights to the software, for 
any and every purpose allowed by the GPL, then you can not distribute 
the software at all.  Patents encumber the MP3 algorithm, so in any 
jurisdiction where software may be patented, the GPL forbids 
distribution of those players and libraries.  Because of this 
restriction, Red Hat has removed all mpg and related libraries and code 
from their distribution.

> Interestingly I noticed that wasn't getting any sound out of an audio
> CD I had in my drive the other day. It was autodetected and CDDB sent
> info on who it was and the player *said* it was playing and time was
> counting, but no sounds were coming out of my speakers.
> 
> My speakers do produce sounds from system events and such and the 'test
> audio' bit plays when I install FC1 and it detects my sound card.

You probably need an analog audio cable from your CDROM drive to your 
sound card.  Windows may play the audio data by reading the CDDA and 
playing it through the sound driver, but I'm not aware of any Linux 
player that will do the same.