Linux and Netflix

[Joseph]

I have been a paying customer of netflix for about a year now. Within the last 2 months I have migrated from windows Vista to Ubuntu Linux. I was quite disappointed when I found out that netflix does not support linux with it's "Watch it Now" feature.

Now, what I don't understand is the fact that soon you will be able to steam netflix video on your Nokia cell phone, xbox360, and PS3... but yet linux continues to be ignored.

So it has come down to this...

If hulu and amazon can support linux users, why should I continue to bother with netflix? So, until linux is supported consider me one less paying customer to your site.

[Lynne Wb]

Individuals interested in writing Netflix.com to request Instant Watching for Linux Operating System - the address is below: I wrote around March or April 2010 and got no reply - call the main help number the service rep. promised to forward the request to headquarters - but received no reply.

Netflix, Inc.
100 Winchester Circle
Los Gatos CA 95032

It does not hurt to ask if - you feel it might help - Like Mind Linux Users looking for alternative streaming TV and Movie sites can also join my Yahoo group - see posts above to learn how.

[Left 4 Shred]

"Freedom of Speech" was never put on trial here. It was just simply requested that when you state why you want to join her group that you be courteous, you don't have to accept it. You can still say what ever you want, but if you're a jerk about it you're not going to get into a group that's goal is constructive progression. Sure she does have a set of rules for her group.

"No personal attacks - constructive posts only - no name calling. No cursing. No unrelated posts."
(this is where your "Freedom of Speech" would be "violated" Sorry but her group has rules just like this one does.)

I don't see anything wrong with these rules. They're there to help build a clean, supportive, professional environment for the cause she's supporting. Honestly it kinda reminds me a bit of these rules here

"http://community.netflix.com/forum/topic/show?id=1993323:Topic:52306"

I find it a little ridiculous that you're singling Linux users out as an entirety having a flawed mindset for wanting a civil message board to discuss common interest. If you're not a Linux user and you're wanting to join that group to flame, you don't belong. If you hate netflix and movies with a passion, you don't belong here in these forums. I use Linux but I'm not going to start making accusations that the users of whatever operating system you use have the same mindset as you. I've used OSX and windows more than I've used anything else at this point. I grew up with windows, worked with OSX, but I enjoy Linux at home so I guess that just gives me a flawed way of thinking. I guess I understand that.

Correct me if I have you wrong, that's just what I got out of the text. I'm not trying to make enemies, I'm just expressing my "Freedom of Speech" as well.

[Left 4 Shred]

Yeah, only time will tell that. Most ppl are usually going to be more biased to their own views so I wouldn't be surprised if the ppl on our (Netflix for Linux) end would receive more slack on these things. Either way I think a group like this shouldn't be private. I might make one that's public like this. Trolls will make their way in to any group for the most part, so I'm not worried about that. I'll give a fellow Linux user no respect if he or she is being rude. I don't look at people for what Operating System family they use, it makes just as much since to not like someone for their ethnicity. We're all humans using computers, lets forget about the OS we use and the color of our skin and just have a civil discussion. Too bad that's not an easy thing to do for some people.

[Joseph]

//Sock Puppet... here is an example of the type of posts she does not want.

Why don't you go back to your doctor and get a higher dose of your anti-depressant. Your over played desire to attack others over trivial matters of discussion is annoying at best but often disrespectful and tactless. You seem to be an intelligent person who has some how not found out how to make yourself happy. Please find a more constructive way to express the frustration you harbor with your own existence.

//Like I said.. just an example.........

[Joseph]

Oh damn... I forgot to include the personal attack about which operating system is used... oops

[steve harrison]

Some of you seem to be missing a couple of facts that seem important to me. When i signed up Netflix streamed to ubuntu with no issues. The boxes sold by Netflix use Linux as an OS. So the fact is it already works with ubuntu, Netflix simply will not share the drm for Linux users. They do this because they have signed a contract with Microsoft to use only Silverlight for online streaming. Personally, that pisses me off but it is their right to conduct business and make money. When another movie site pops up that is as affordable and reliable as Netflix, I'll switch. Until then I'm going to enjoy my streaming movies for 8.99 a month.

[Left 4 Shred]

Well when you signed up Netflix may have still been using flash to stream their videos (that was when Linux was supported). The Roku box is Linux based...true, but it does not necessarily mean that it already works with Ubuntu. Netflix on Linux is possible, I don't think that was ever the question. I just think it's more so if Netflix on Linux "home computers" is probable in the near future or at all.

[rebeltaz]

SockPuppet -> I'm just curious... were you molested by a Linux user at some point? Because you sure do have a chip on your shoulder towards us. I can't speak for any one other than myself, but I personally despise Microsoft and their business practices/model. But I would never denigrate a person for the operating system they choose. That would go more towards exposing my own character flaws than theirs.

You keep harping on your belief that Linux users are in it only for the free software. While that may be true for some, and I won't argue that a stable operating system and efficient software for free is more appealing that an unstable, virus prone operating system and bloated software retailing hundreds, if not sometimes thousands, of dollars. But the fact of the matter is that, by and large, for the most part, Linux users are an intelligent people. Most grew up with computers back when computer knowledge was more than plug-and-play. Most know at least basic scripting, and many know at least one computer language. That is why Linux is free - so that the programs can be modified, added to and customized to fit the users needs. Can a single one of your Windows programs claim that?

I've used almost every version of DOS I can think of (TRS-80, Commodore, Atari, PC, MS...), every version of Windows from 1.0 up to XP, and several iterations of the Mac OS. I have used a few Linux distributions before finally settling on Ubuntu for my main systems. I can program in BASIC, VB, C++ and PHP as well as numerous version of microcontroller and low-level languages.

All of that is meaningless as far as getting NetFlix to work on a Linux PC - since without the DRM licensing technology, it's (near?) impossible. So for you to sit here and criticize anyone for requesting that Netflix offer support to Linux users (either with an official player or by releasing the DRM) only proves the opinions that I am sure many here hold of you.

[Lynne Wb]

Actually I used Windows and still do - I only found out about free Ubuntu Linux when I found out that Windows won't support Windows XP after April 2014. I found out that the upgrade would cost several hundred dollars and on top of that my computer didn't have the graphic and speed. I cannot afford to get an upgrade and new computer especially every couple of years that is why I am upset with Microsoft. Netflix disappointment is that they don't seem to want to extend the streaming Instant to Linux users that is why I searched for other streaming TV and Movie sites for Ubuntu Linux and formed my Yahoo Group - which is posted on how to join within this forum thread around 21 and 22 pages. Around April 2014, I will only use Ubuntu Linux - still rent the Neflix DVDs because generally they are good even with the DVDs only in the large selection of choices that I like - and use the streaming Video for TV and Movies from sites like Hulu.com, Crackle.com, Youtube TV and Movies, most Broadcast and Cable TV Networks have some TV shows available to stream on Ubuntu LInux as well to find other sites those interested consider joining my Yahoo group mentioned on page 21 and 22 of this forum thread.

[Joseph]

Well said.

[Left 4 Shred]

I've made a network solely for discussion for Netflix on Linux.

http://netflixforlinuxdiscussion.ning.com/

read through the page before posting first please, also please read the first step discussion.

It's not finished yet but it's enough to at least start it.

[spiderpig]

Just curious, will you be keeping that network once Ning starts charging in July?