RealAudio reforms: thanks to car talk?

RealPlayer - the best digital media player - Real.com

RealAudio was infamous for a deceptive approach to distributing their audio player. They used to make it very difficult to locate and install the free player; they played a bait and switch to their fee-based product. Then they spammed their users mercilessly.

Then NPR's Car Talk switched from RA to Windows Media Player -- because of Real's policies.

Now Real has a very agreeable and pretty clear download page.

Probably too late.

When will software companies learn -- only Microsoft is big and powerful enough to abuse customers. Everyone else has to treat customers like precious gems.