But there is no joy for one class of computer user, those who use GNU/Linux.

Quickflix executive chairman Stephen Langsford told iTWire that one would need to install Microsoft's Silverlight plugin to watch online.

"Version 4.0 or later, which means it will run on Intel Macs and Windows PCs from Vista (2007) or later," he said.

There is no Silverlight plug-in provided by Microsoft for GNU/Linux users.

A clone called Moonlight has been created by the cofounder of the GNOME project, Miguel de Icaza, but given the possibility that it may infringe on Microsoft patents, most GNU/Linux users are wary of even trying it out.

Moonlight does not work with the American movie streaming service, Netflix. The Mono website has this piece of information: "Netflix does not work with Moonlight at this time. While Moonlight supports all of the UI and media playback infrastructure, it lacks DRM support which Netflix requires."

Langsford said Quickflix recommended the use of Internet Explorer 8 or Chrome 4 or above. "For Mac users, we are recommending the use of Safari 4 or above or Chrome 5 or above," he added.

He was unable to give a definite timeframe for obtaining new American, European or local films for streaming online.

"It really depends. As we've said we'll be quickly expanding our range of streaming titles under subscription or pay per view as we publish more titles from existing studios with whom we've done a deal and new studios that we'll be adding," Langsford said.

"On the online DVD rental side of our business we obtain the content within 90 to 120 days after cinema release in Australia.

"On streaming PPV which we'll be launching early in the new year increasingly titles are becoming available around the same timeframe. Latest release titles tend to be available in the PPV window and subscription content tends to older titles."

Details of the plans available are here.