Well, as the only non-Mac Mac guy around these parts (I use Ubuntu on my Ppc Macs); Ill weigh in with what I do. These are admittedly low tech solutions that match my skill level, but they work for me. There are two pieces of software in the repository called gnash and gnash common. They both come installed by default in the full blown Ubuntu 12.04 Ppc. Version, but if Im not mistaken, you have to install them in Lubuntu 12.04 Ppc. (lightweight version). This is an open source flash player that will play most, but not all videos. On my wifes G4 emac with a 1Ghz processor, the videos that do play are somewhat choppy and halting, but overall watchable. On my older G4 Graphics Sawtooth with a 450 Mhz. processor, they load up extremely slowly and play like a very ponderous slide show. Ive always wondered how well they might play on a G5 or something with an upgraded processor.
Anyway, not having the patience for all that, I go a different route. I use Firefox as my browser and as most of you know, it has a ton of add-ons available. My favorite downloading tool is Video Download Helper. It will absolutely work on all Youtube videos as well as many others, although not all. Download time is about the same as running the video for the first time, but when done, you have a nice little MV4 file put safely away in a special file (automatically created). No hurky-jerkiness, no buffering, just a nice little video of very high quality resolution (depending on the quality of the recording, of course) that you can replay over and over. Though I've never taken the time to figure out how to do it, there is also supposed to be an option to stream a video via "VLC".
Would I prefer to be able to play videos directly through Flash? Sure. Ive thought more than once about reloading 10.3 Panther on my wifes emac and running one of the retro-fit browsers with Flash. But since she uses this for on-line banking, etc., I just dont feel good about exposing it to all the inherent security risks. And I still have a stinging memory of that little beach ball spinning endlessly as my Mac got slower and slower telling me it was time for a complete re-installation of the OS. This has NEVER happened with Ubuntu.
I know Im way outnumbered here, and far be it from me to try to persuade someone away from their pursuit of interest, but if in fact the window is closing on options for the powerpc Macs running "OS 10-whatever" that hasnt been updated in how many years?, Ubuntu DOES offer an alternative with a modern OS that is updated regularly for security and bug fixes. And do I need to remind you that this is all free? Free as in Braveheart and free as in beer. Im just sayin
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