Reader Stephen Hoyt sent in today’s “Ask Luke” question:
I received an email from my brother with an “.wmv” attachment file and am unable to open it. I think this is a “Windows Media/Video” type file and am wondering if I can just go to Microsoft’s homepage and download the video player? Will that then open these files on an Apple computer? Or do I need to find a Windows Media Player for Mac?
Response:
You have two options here. Oddly enough both come from Microsoft. Which is as it should be since they were ones that invented yet another file format, but how often do things turn out like they should?
Anyway, you can either use Windows Media Player for Mac or a plugin for Quicktime that is smaller and lets you use a single program for most videos. The plugin is called Flip4Mac. You can find both at: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/flip4mac.mspx
Was that answer too simple? 
Attention all readers: If you have any further questions on this or any other tech topic, ask away that is what the ask-luke series is here for.
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thanks for the great info Luke!
Very nice information. Thanks for this. By the way, did you come out with the article yourself?
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Very nice information. Thanks for this. By the way, did you come out with the article yourself?
i cannot open a wmv file on the mac book pro. i have downloaded flip 4 mac and wmp for apple and neither have worked. i have read that both of these will not work on intel based mac books. HELP AND THANKS
I am using Flip4Mac on an Intel machine. Maybe you are getting interference from another application.
Are you getting any kind of error message? A spinning mouse? Just nothing?
VLC media player.
Simple and free.
All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
Looks like Flip4Mac is actually a product of Telestream.
http://www.telestream.net/flip4mac-wmv/overview.htm