RealNetworks has decided to go the way of the Open Source warrior, and have released the source to their player, and audio/video Codecs. They make the popular RealOne Player as well as the open source variation Helix DNA Client. If RealNetworks has no problems releasing the code for their program, it makes me wonder just how much Microsoft has to hide...

"The industry has asked for a single industry-standard media player that supports all file formats and operating systems," RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser said in a statement. "The Helix DNA Client and the Helix community are the answer. We welcome and encourage all developers to freely register on the Web site, download the source code and actively participate to drive this mass medium of Internet broadcasting to the next level."

 

The tactic contrasts sharply with those of archrival Microsoft, which guards the blueprints--or source code--to its products as if they were crown jewels. RealNetworks' move could reignite the fierce debate between open- and closed-source advocates. Microsoft contends open-source software is potentially more vulnerable to security problems than code kept out of the public domain, a charge dismissed by open-source advocates.