OStatic

Open source media player Miro is out in a new version 2.5, downloadable for Windows, the Mac, and Linux. Miro has long been well-liked as a way to collect and view timely video content, as well as manage video libraries. There are many enhancements in the new version, detailed here, but two of the new features that have jumped out at me as I've used the new version are audio podcasts available through Miroguide (a really nice way to navigate to content from all around the web and sample offerings that you may like), and smarter handling of BitTorrent files, especially videos.

I blame the souls at Ars Technica just as much as the diabolical (though creative) minds at Miro for the ear-drum shattering, make-your-teeth-ache squeal I just unleashed upon the world. Miro's new fundraising campaign -- where for $4 a month, one can adopt a line of code -- has got to be one of the most innovative, creative, and inviting fundraising efforts an open source software project could ever dream up.

While I still take stock in the notion that perhaps open source projects could benefit from spinning their requests for monetary contributions as investments rather than donations, the Miro team has hit on (figuratively, anyway) real gold with this effort. Adopting a line of code (as if it were a whale, or, even, say, a penguin) and giving a little to the adoptee in return -- a blog widget, an adoption certificate, and a picture of your fostered line -- has a low impact on the project's resources, can garner some great returns, and is just fun.

I'm betting it'll turn out to be effective in other ways, as well.