Netscape Tech speaks on Windows Media Plug-in compatibility

Steve Dagley of Netscape's Technical team sent us a note denouncing Microsoft's decision to make the Windows Media Player plug-in non-standard, crippling its ability to function properly in other browsers:

"We're getting a lot of Chimera feedback asking why the Windows Media Player plugin doesn't work. Unfortunately no Mac OS X browser other than IE is capable of using this plugin as it appears that Microsoft implemented it in a non-standard manner. Rather than complaining to browser developers to add support for it, people should lobby Microsoft to release it as a standard plugin that all Mac OS X browser can use. Not that I'd know how one goes about lobbying Microsoft :-)"

Ronald Leroux notes some additional problems with the Windows Media Player plug-in, namely that the player cannot load the music excerpts from the upcoming film Star Trek Nemesis. Internet Explorer gives an error message when trying to do so.

UPDATE: A Microsoft spokesperson told MacFixIt "Microsoft doesn't have anything to announce at this time" regarding the release of a Windows Media plug-in that is multi-browser compatible.

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