Philip

I’ve seen your expertise in the digital media space and thought you’d be interested in checking out boxee - an open-source project for Mac based on XBMC that lets you turn your computer into a social media center.

Love to send you an invite to our alpha and talk sometime this week.

All the best,
Andrew

For certain interface elements a vector graphic format is desirable.

Philip

Your conclusions appear to be going down the flash/silverlight competitor idea.

A H.264/AAC/MP4 container interacting with a programing language. Sounds like Flash or silverlight. The only thing missing is SVG type technology so we can make it a little more compelling like flash.

In my opinion, we have two paths ahead. Javascript/AJAX based RIA’s WITH a touch of flash to get those funky animated and data visualizations task done. OR, an OSS alternative that gets a hugh investment from a large company like Apple of Google to make it at all relevant.

But my big issue here is that, defining an interactive standard does very little if there are no vehicles to get you there.

What I mean is. For example, I am a big Flash/Flex fan. Not so much about the implementation, which in flash’s case is a little long in the tooth and has issues based around its original design. I like flash because the tools to make the this stuff are quite good. Ie FlashCS3 and Flex3-IDE.

Apple could, for example, wrap javascript, H.264/AAC/MP4 and SVG into a standalone web browser plug in and make it available for all browsers and platforms.

Still, what is missing here is that for this technology to become widely used, an IDE, or graphics programing application also needs to be developed. (Or could flashCS3/Flex be updated to output compatible technology??)

Unfortunately tools like this are very uncommon in the OSS area and as such, in my opinion, a major reason why SVG didn’t get very far.

Even SVG didn’t get very far as Flash was simply doing so well. Adobe use to have some interesting SVG tools , but they gave up and purchased Macromedia. (On this point, does anyone know what the best current, supported and available SVG creation application is. All the Adobe ones are no longer available or supported I think)

Then again SVG did not have any video integration. The main reason it lost relevance I would suggest.

It is interesting to see that flash has Open Sourced a lot of the flash technology. Imagine if Apple brings out a technology that was open and could still use existing tools and talent-base to create content for an open RIA focused implementation.

Apple may release a tool for SVG..

It is an interesting time as these issues will shape the web.
James

Open Television Network is growing slowly at the moment. There are a couple of bigger sites about to come online that will boost numbers substantially. This week we’re working on separating klickTab and Open TV Network to their own sites. One for the technology/account functions - klickTab.com - and the other - OpenTVnetwork.com will be much clearer as a showcase/store/subscription point to give content owners better exposure.

Philip

sorry…just read your Don Chip quote in We need a Fifth Estate post sitting here at Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, in Oz.

I did some work on a team at the Pixelcorps a few years ago that was trying to get interactive quicktime mixed with flash buttons and skins to work for some of the early Macbreak vodcasts. Apple was so far ahead with the features of early Quicktime but dropped the ball.

If JS and Ruby are there it will be Ace. Can’t wait.

In development for a shortform web comedy at the moment and like your idea for Open Television Network. Do you have any stats re uptake or projections?

Luv ur work,

Damo.