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1. Already done

   ffmpeg (which all Linux-sourced video backends use) includes completed decoders for Windows Media Video 7 (A.K.A. Windows Media Video 1) and both versions of Windows Media Audio. As for Windows Media Video 8 and 9 (2 and 3), their codecs aren't complete, but they're close enough that it doesn't really matter.

   at codec for Windows Media Video on 21 Dec 2007 17:18

2. Already done

   First, Quicktime is a container format and media framework. The video and audio codecs can vary. Second, ffmpeg (which all Linux-sourced media players make use of) includes support for every audio and video codec I've ever seen used with Quicktime... except for one ancient audio codec from the early '90s which I've only ever seen used once.

   at codec for Quicktime Movie on 21 Dec 2007 17:20

3. Unlikely

   Unlikely. Auto-update integrated into the application is something that's frowned upon by projects whose primary audience is non-Windows/Mac operating systems. They usually consider it a cheap hack around the real problem. (No system-wide update management)
   
   Even if they accepted it, it'd probably be on the condition that the submitter maintain it for the rest of the updater's usable lifetime.

   at GIMP auto-update on 21 Dec 2007 17:26

4. Be careful...

   Before you shell out the cash, make sure that the Pidgin developers would accept such a patch. Things that originate on Linux or other non-MacOS UNIX-like operating systems tend to dislike per-application update management because it's the wrong way to do things.
   
   First, it requires administrator privileges to apply an update. Second, it's still the wrong way to do things and most Linux-sourced projects don't like to duplicate parts of the package manager's functionality.
   
   It's probably better to Google up one of the windows package manager projects and start a cofundos project to improve them instead.

   at Pidgin auto-updater on 21 Dec 2007 17:30

5. My main worry is that, as GIMP is a project whose primary target is Linux and other package-managed OSes, the developers might not accept such an addition. Make sure they will and under what terms before you pay someone to write it.
   

   at GIMP auto-update on 26 Dec 2007 05:51

6. I'm not a Pidgin developer, but I don't see them having any problem with it as a plugin.
   
   I'd suggest asking the devs if they'd be willing to put up an RSS or Atom feed with download links for the Windows installers.

   at Pidgin auto-updater (requirement Plugin based) on 23 Feb 2008 02:38

7. Doing it as a plugin *would* alleviate the problem of getting developer approval. It wouldn't pollute the core with a Windows-specific feature and, worst case scenario, it could be a 3rd-party thing.
   
   I'd suggest looking into the possibility of basing it around an RSS or Atom feed with download links for the Windows installers. In such a case, It'd be child's play. I'd almost be willing to do it. (I'm not really very good at working in C)

   at GIMP auto-update (requirement plugin based) on 23 Feb 2008 02:42

8. I'd agree with you, but I doubt they'd do it. It's a much bigger task, after all.
   
   Of course, for the record, I much prefer debs to rpms.

   at GIMP auto-update on 28 Mar 2008 07:38