Microsoft Silverlight description
A cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in designed to be the source of rich online user experiences

Silverlight is essentially nothing more than Microsoft's vision of a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in designed to be the source of rich online user experiences and to dislodge Flash from its current dominant position on the market. And when the Redmond company said cross-platform they indeed meant it.

Microsoft revealed that it does not plan to leverage the existing Windows Update infrastructure in order to make available Silverlight to all users of the Windows operating system. Such a move would give Silverlight immediate and total access to an install base close to 1 billion users and will make it just as ubiquitous as Adobe's Flash. Instead the Redmond company has debuted a number of in-house projects to push the technology, as well as tap its partners for support.

And in this context, Microsoft announced that "Entertainment Tonight," HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment will all deliver Silverlight content to viewers. In fact, a total of 35 Microsoft partners worldwide have announced their support for Silverlight.

Here are some key features of "Microsoft Silverlight":

Compelling Experiences
· Custom branded experiences using 2D vector graphics, animation, styling, and skinning
· HD video and adaptive streaming techniques for world-class media experiences
· Highly sophisticated RIA’s across major browsers on Mac, Windows, Linux, and devices
· Unparalleled interactivity with high resolution content through Deep Zoom technology enabling smooth browsing independent of screen size

New Markets
· Multi-channel deployment of web applications to the desktop and devices through .NET
· Cost effective media delivery via Windows Server
· Monetization of media assets via protected content and advertising-enabled scenarios
· Thriving ecosystem of .NET and Windows Media partners, developers, and applications

Team Productivity
· Rapid development through XML-based declarative markup and a full set of controls Role-specific productivity tools to enhance designer--developer collaboration, with Expression Studio, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Team System
· Flexible programming model that supports JavaScript, C#, VB.NET, AJAX, IronPython, IronRuby, and support for LINQ while accessing data over the network
· Easy to add richness to AJAX applications and reduce cross-browser issues


Requirements:

· Windows Vista with Windows Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows XP SP2 with Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows Server 2003 (excluding IA-64) with Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows 2000 with Internet Explorer 6 (Silverlight 2.0 Only)
· X86 or x64 500-megahertz (MHz) or higher processor with 128-megabytes (MB) of RAM


RECOMMENDED: Use Silverlight in the 32-bit Internet Explorer process on x64 systems. Most browser plug-ins (including Silverlight, Flash, Java and almost all ActiveX controls) only work in 32-bit browsers currently.