The IRS prohibits this, because it means that a non-profit can get tax deductible donations from funders, to create competition with companies that have to figure out how to get post-tax dollar investment, and make revenue.

It also means that the Democracy Player or Miro can use code that is open source, under the GPL, to provide features that for-profit companies are prohibited from using GPL based code.

It’s wrong that to treat them the same as for-profit companies, it’s wrong that they are competing with for-profit companies, and it’s wrong that they can use GPL code and pre-tax investment, that effectively means all us taxpayers underwrite, to make software that is marketed against for-profit companies.

They are unethical at this point, and I would encourage you to investigate and report on their origins, status, funders and founders, and talk about this.

Otherwise, you are supporting them as well.

It will be interesting to see what Mainstream appeal Miro has. We think offering a Web-based solution with a powerful download client is a winning combination (btw, you can use your OPML file to import your subscriptions into Mefeedia too).

Web (i.e. Flash) is certainly the mainstream norm now, but as HD becomes more pervasive, people will need clients like Miro. The question is really what is mainstream media TV shows going to do to support platforms like Miro…