Siu Lun

I’m stumped the past few days, it turns out a term that I’ve used since the first time I’ve uploaded a video for Flash to ‘play before it’s finished downloading’ is actually an arguing point that seems to be fussy with no definite answers that can be found on the web.

It could have been a misused terminology but I’ve always thought HTTP Streaming – literally means, progressive download via HTTP.

Since, from the outset, when you reference a video file to play in Flash. Unless it’s true streaming via a streaming server. It’s always been in the http protocol.

I guess the matter is made ‘worst’ by the fact that there are HTTP Streaming servers around that imitates streaming but allows for progressive download at the same time such as: http://stream.xmoov.com/

So… what is the difference actually? I’ve read an artcial that says HTTP Streaming refers to HTTP Tunneling – i.e. streaming by tunneling streams in the HTTP protocol. Others, seems to think the same as me. I suppose the tunneling one make sense, but it all just seems like semantics to me. I know the idea between real streaming, tunneling real streams to HTTP and false streaming via HTTP/progressive download are all very common, but is there a definite term to seperate all of these?

A search on google only yields differing results.

An interesting find.

UPDATE: Some clarity that also suggest the trap of the term HTTP Streaming – http://www.streamingmedia.com/article.asp?id=10789
I’m actually surprised it’s written in late 2008, when people have been using that term since at least 2006. I guess there was never a defined definition.

UPDATE 2:
“Streaming” – the definition of it does not in anyway say that streams cannot be preloaded, all it says is that it is data packets being constantly sent to the recipient. Therefore ‘technically’ from a language perspective, HTTP Streaming can mean ANYTHING, including, “PUSH” data such as COMET. Therefore, it’s best to avoid that terminology whenever possible because of it’s ambiguous nature.

As tech people who works for money will never advance themselves the right way and you’d end up with people who doesn’t really care about the production quality to which ‘non’ tech savy people cannot see – until something goes wrong.

This is a very common occurance in the Hong Kong made websites – it is an observation I’ve made in Hong Kong’s ‘digital’ department.

This problem is not unique in Hong Kong as it happens all over the world, as non-tech savvy people usually do not see it happen until it’s too late, meaning management won’t get pressured until the shit hits the fan – so to speak. However it is more pronouced in Hong Kong due to the cultural background and attiude of working for money.

Hong Kong does not promote individual thinking, people are brought up patronised, people are brought up not to question but to accept. So in the end, they’re brought up to work for money, not for pride or interest. Of the very few who does, they cannot exist in this environment.

So any companies in Hong Kong who wants to get, and keep good technical talents. Search for those who does it for interest, keep them well, they’re your best friend, your partner, not a dog that obeys commands, but a human to help you advance.

They may make mistakes, but resolve it in a civil manner, like you would with your partner. Sit down, chat, ensure both of you trust each other. It is a marriage between the technical savvy and the non.

I made a post the other day about Opera on Google Finance.

These few days however, Google Finance refuse to render properly at all.

I wonder wtf Google has done to their codes. I put it on a validator test and it fails miserably.

Is Google deliberately trying to push Opera browser to the edge? Well, they have every reason to…

But what happened to the ‘don’t be evil’ motto?