Microsoft sees the light - Silverlight

Yeah, I know what you're thinking: Silverlight? What's that?

Well, I'm going to try and figure it out myself. From what I understand about Silverlight, it's Microsoft's way for developers to create rich web applications and other internet technologies which actually look cool. The new technology was shown off at Mix07 this week. And the best part? It's cross-browser, so no IE-only stuff (think Microsoft FrontPage) and even cross-OS so you can see the light on Windows and MacOSX.

Could MS be embracing the competition? Well, when Firefox has more than 10% of the market share in web browsing, I'd say yes.

Essentially it boils down to XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language), which then delivers vector-based graphics, animations and video/audio playback. Of course, it's important to remember that Silverlight has a bigger target in its sights: Macromedia Flash.

Microsoft claims that "stunning user interfaces" and "incorporate video, animation interactivity". Check out some demos here and some early demos of Silverlight here. The company seems to be realizing the web is the way to go as they are bringing out Expressions Web which replaces the good old FrontPage and will be able to create some amazing pages. Silverlight is currently in development at the moment as an alpha of 4MB and beta 1.0 is 2MB, and quick and easy to install. However, with good old Windows Update which seems to actually be worth something now it could be on your computer tomorrow morning. And it's on schedule to be rolled out during the first six months of this year.

Go here to check it out and download it.

Microsoft sees the light - Silverlight

Yeah, I know what you're thinking: Silverlight? What's that?

Well, I'm going to try and figure it out myself. From what I understand about Silverlight, it's Microsoft's way for developers to create rich web applications and other internet technologies which actually look cool. The new technology was shown off at Mix07 this week. And the best part? It's cross-browser, so no IE-only stuff (think Microsoft FrontPage) and even cross-OS so you can see the light on Windows and MacOSX.

Could MS be embracing the competition? Well, when Firefox has more than 10% of the market share in web browsing, I'd say yes.

Essentially it boils down to XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language), which then delivers vector-based graphics, animations and video/audio playback. Of course, it's important to remember that Silverlight has a bigger target in its sights: Macromedia Flash.

Microsoft claims that "stunning user interfaces" and "incorporate video, animation interactivity". Check out some demos here and some early demos of Silverlight here. The company seems to be realizing the web is the way to go as they are bringing out Expressions Web which replaces the good old FrontPage and will be able to create some amazing pages. Silverlight is currently in development at the moment as an alpha of 4MB and beta 1.0 is 2MB, and quick and easy to install. However, with good old Windows Update which seems to actually be worth something now it could be on your computer tomorrow morning. And it's on schedule to be rolled out during the first six months of this year.

Go here to check it out and download it.