CNN embedded video working in Firefox 2.x on Ubuntu

I have been irritated for some time about not being able to play any of the video offered by many of the news items on CNN's website. To fix this I found I only needed to do this:

# install the vlc video player and plugin.
#
$ sudo aptitude install vlc mozilla-plugin-vlc

# check your firefox plugins page for the vlc plugin 
# being registerd by typing "about:plugins".
#