[Frameworks] FInal Cut Pro X

[Fred Camper]

Even though I haven't worked with video, I'm trying to understand this  
because it has huge implications.

If I understand it right, FCP uses a proprietary file format that  
other programs, such as Premiere, cannot open? And FCP X won't be able  
to open those files either? And FCP will not be installable on newer  
Macs? Does this mean that he original files of FCP projects will  
become unreadable, and that any way of saving them, such as DVD, will  
involve big losses?

This is a general worry about digital files, that newer platforms will  
not be able to read them at all. Do digital files thus have a much  
shorter expected lifetime than celluloid, even given vinegar syndrome?

For still digital images (which I do work with), there are  tif files,  
which almost any image editing program can open, and which are  
lossless. Are there equivalent video files? avi? Should there be an  
attempt to establish an open source, lossless-as-possible video file  
format if there is not one now?

Is the lesson here to never, ever use software that saves in file  
formats that are under the control of one corporation?

Fred Camper
Chicago