Microsoft Silverlight – The Flash killer

What is Microsoft Silverlight?
Microsoft Silverlight is a media player that can run web applications on Windows and MAC in Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.  It is designed to work in concert with XAML and will be scriptable with Javascript. In the Silverlight 1.1 Alpha, the support of .NET languages has been introudunced. There is no support for Linux and Opera in the current beta, but additional platforms are still in consideration.

In the word of Microsoft –

Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of the .NET Framework for building and delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web and devices.

Components

1. Browser Plugin (Activex control in case of Internet Explorer)
2. aghost.js (Host independent wrapper for plugin)
3. HTML and Javascript (Import aghost.js and instantiate plugin)
4. XAML

aghost.js – Does it ring any bell? yeah, you are right the chemical symbol of Silver is Ag.

Requirements to experience Microsoft Silverlight

• RUNTIMES
  • There are two runtimes available for users. Both the runtimes have the same features except Silverlight 1.1 Alpha introduces support for .NET languages such as Visual Basic and Visual C#
    • Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 Beta – To experience Silverlight [ mac – windows]
    • Microsoft Silverlight 1.1 Alpha – To view Silverlight applications created with .NET [ mac – windows]
• DEVELOPER TOOLS
  • The next generation development tool.  Microsoft Visual Studio codename “Orcas” Beta 1
  • The add-on to create Silverlight applications using .NET Microsoft Silverlight Tools Alpha for Viual Studio codename “Orcas” Beta 1 
• DESIGNER TOOLS
  • Expression Blend 2 May Preview
    Professional design tool to create user interaction for Silverlight.
  • Expression Media Encoder May Preview
    Feature that will be part of Microsoft Expression Media that allows you to create and enhance video.
  • Expression Design
    A professional illustration and graphic design tool to create Silverlight assets.
• SDK (Software Development Kit)
  • Required for the documentation,samples and add-ins .
    • Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 Beta Software Development Kit (SDK)
    • Microsoft Silverlight 1.1 Alpha Software Development Kit (SDK)

Note : Installation of Runtime is the only requirement to access Microsoft Silverlight enabled website

Check the Silverlight gallery to see it in action.

Silverlight Streaming 
Microsoft is so keen to promote this technology that it has announced a Silverlight streaming by Windows live. Silverlight streaming is a  “companion service” that steams media content from Microsoft’s server, supported by its global content delivery network The free service allows videos up to 10 minutes long, in qualities up to a DVD-like 700 Kbps, occupying up to 4GB of total space, and serving up to one million minutes per month. Beyond that, there will a fee-based or advertising-supported service.

Microsoft Silverlight aims to compete with Adobe Flex, Nexaweb, OpenLaszlo, and the presentation components of Ajax.