Nomad

The truth Is that Windows Media player Is now the best at streaming media. Thats why most website now use Windows Media for streaming.

Real Player Is CRAP, the damned thing Is full of spyware, and It's constantly trying to connect to the net when you aren't even using It.

I now use "Real Alternative" to play Real files.

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...ealsuit19.html

-Snip-

RealNetworks Inc., the Seattle-based software maker dogged by Microsoft Corp. throughout its 10-year life, yesterday filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against its nemesis, alleging that the Redmond company has tried to use its monopoly power in PC operating systems to unlawfully dominate the digital media market.

In the suit, which could extend Microsoft's 13-year-long antitrust woes for at least three more years, RealNetworks is seeking $1 billion or more in damages and an injunction requiring changes in Microsoft's business practices. Barring a settlement, the jury trial will take place in the high-tech hub of San Jose, Calif.

RealNetworks alleges in the lawsuit that Microsoft's anti-competitive practices let it rise from virtually no presence in streaming media in 1997 to lead RealNetworks in market share for digital media players by 2002. Microsoft's conduct "poses a dangerous probability of creating a monopoly in the digital media markets," the suit says.

"Despite our success with new products and services, we believe it's clear our business would be substantially larger today if Microsoft were playing by the rules," said Rob Glaser, RealNetworks' founder and chief executive.

Microsoft called the suit "unfortunate and particularly surprising given the intense competition in the digital media marketplace."

Although RealNetworks has served as a witness against Microsoft in both the highly publicized U.S. joint federal-state proceedings and the European Union's antitrust actions, it said such acts can't recoup losses caused by Microsoft's illegal activities.

rubicon

I guess you can look at this two ways:

1) Microsoft has worked long and hard to become the company they are today and integrating technology like this is simply smart business

2) Real could have partnered with Microsoft early on (maybe they tried...I dunno) or they could have come out with a product that didn't alienate their customers

Giving away the "free" bloatware/spyware Player didn't help customer loyalty. They charged for the encoding software as well. It's a double-edged sword: make money or give away for free and gain market share?

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sipsake

Buffering...10%...20%...60%...90%...10%...13%...

Could be a last desperate grab for cash from a sinking company.

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Hanabal

real sucks, always did, and i hate it when i go to a site that uses real, makes me never check the site again. wmp is a better streamer, its that simple. looks clearer, smoother and faster.

quicktime is all good as well and is used all over the place so i cant see how they can say microsoft has a monopoly in streaming. the fact that i probably use quick time more that wmp says that wmp is not all thats out there.

real player just sucks

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The_Dude

yeah, i dont see exactly where ms has a monopoly in the media player market. there are lots of competitors out there.

bltzkriegmcanon

yeah real is probably the worst media player software that available for download i've ever seen. What a bloatwarez. Its nothing but a load of crap, hogging system resources, overtaking all other media players, even when you specifically instruct it not to during setup. What a bunch of shit.

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