BBC iPlayer

[tech_guy]

I'm creating a new image for some PCs for installation over the hols.

I was thinking of including BBC iPlayer in the image.

What do you think about doing this? Is it a good idea or not?

Do you think the LEA would get shirty with us potentially using up more bandwith?

[SpuffMonkey]

Do you need it? Now its Flash based - we find the online version does fine for most things.

[tech_guy]

Do you need it? Now its Flash based - we find the online version does fine for most things.

We were thinking of downloading content and then using the iPlayer to view it so when there was no Internet connection it didn't matter?

[elsiegee40]

I've stayed away from simply because I have so many problems making sure that I have exactly the right combination of versions of flash/shockwave/java/realplayer/flying pigs to ensure we can use the BBC website. I'm not keen to add yet another variable!

I've actually had this stable for a whole term... I'll only go there when BBC starts crashing IE again!

[powdarrmonkey]

We were thinking of downloading content and then using the iPlayer to view it so when there was no Internet connection it didn't matter?

You'll probably find that you can't transfer the downloaded files between machines (I haven't looked into it closely) because the BBC protect them with DRM. They'll expire after a week anyway, so you don't gain anything by not using the flash version.

Nice to see they have made it flash 7 compatible now, yay for my box at home

[zag]

No point, just use the flash based online version. All it needs is the latest version of flash.

[tech_guy]

You'll probably find that you can't transfer the downloaded files between machines (I haven't looked into it closely) because the BBC protect them with DRM. They'll expire after a week anyway, so you don't gain anything by not using the flash version.

Nice to see they have made it flash 7 compatible now, yay for my box at home

Erm, we've had no probs putting the downloaded files in the Shared Area on our Admin network for staff to use. As you say they expire after being watched but the staff know this.

[powdarrmonkey]

Hmm, fair enough. I was under the impression they were locked to the machine that fetched them.

[tech_guy]

Hmm, fair enough. I was under the impression they were locked to the machine that fetched them.

That's what I though but we download the files and are able to play them on other PCs and in Windows Media Player too.

[flyinghaggis]

Why would staff have any reason to install/use I-player in school for teaching? We've actually blocked the site on the grounds that we don't want staff/pupils soaking up bandwidth catching up on last nights episode of eastenders/etc

Is there any legitimate reason why they'd want to use it?

[tech_guy]

Why would staff have any reason to install/use I-player in school for teaching? We've actually blocked the site on the grounds that we don't want staff/pupils soaking up bandwidth catching up on last nights episode of eastenders/etc

Is there any legitimate reason why they'd want to use it?

We have a strict policy that it's for educational use only - we use it to watch documentaries.

[srochford]

Why would staff have any reason to install/use I-player in school for teaching? We've actually blocked the site on the grounds that we don't want staff/pupils soaking up bandwidth catching up on last nights episode of eastenders/etc

Is there any legitimate reason why they'd want to use it?

I'd guess for the same reason that for the past 30 years or so schools have been videotaping schools programmes to watch at a convenient time! This is just the 21st century version of a video player :-)

[flyinghaggis]

The problem is that iPlayer contains so much unsuitable/time wasting content that IMO it's too much of a gamble to open up the whole site just because it might contain a couple of educational documentaries.
Over 99% of the stuff on it won't be of any educational value so I don't see why it should be accessible unless there is somekind of filter or option to download only educational content? Especially seeing as a couple of labs worth of pupils streaming rubbish could potentially soak up all our bandwidth and stop people doing legitimate work!

Are we being too harsh

[ZeroHour]

I wouldnt use the downloader. It shares what you download automatically so it will continue to soak bandwidth. It runs the sharing everytime you try to download at least and its uploading when its in the tray.
The full app could end up destroying your net if lots started to do it.
Flash is at least one way.

[GaryCantley]

I wouldnt use the downloader. It shares what you download automatically so it will continue to soak bandwidth. It runs the sharing everytime you try to download at least and its uploading when its in the tray.
The full app could end up destroying your net if lots started to do it.
Flash is at least one way.

I have seen it on standalone PC's where it had "taken over" the system.

A swift delete and reboot and the computer is usable again.

I thought I had read somewhere that it was intended that others could upload from your PC, in the same way that LimeWire works. I am happy to be proved wrong though