Mar
4
Microsoft Silverlight: Must I Download Thee?
Today I ran across one of Microsoft’s mini-sites, MicrosoftGamePlan.com. Our Microsoft rep brought the site to my attention, and it actually sounded kind of useful *slash* interesting. I’m told it’s all about how Microsoft can help your business during tough economic times.
That sounds beneficial to us and our customers, so what do I do? I visit the site. To my utter disappointment, I see a bunch of white space, a small explanation, and a button to install Microsoft Silverlight. The site “requires Microsoft Silverlight for full functionality.” Boo. The website sounded cool, but do I continue knowing I have to go through this extra step?
I think about it. What is the deal with Silverlight anyway? Why can’t we all just use Flash and be on our merry way? It’s installed on 99% of all Internet-enabled desktops, after all.
But of course I know things aren’t that simple. Microsoft couldn’t just sit around twiddling its thumbs while Adobe commanded the RIA market. (While both programs are currently free, some question whether both Microsoft and Adobe have some sort of agenda with their offerings.) And maybe there really are benefits to Silverlight that can’t be found in Flash. The companies that are standing behind Silverlight – CBS Sports, Netflix & Blockbuster to name a few – certainly seem to think so.
I’m not sure what to make of the whole battle between Silverlight and Flash, but in the end I decide to go for it. The download was surprisingly painless. Took all of 10 seconds. And the site ended up being pretty cool. It’s kind of a wheel-of-fortune for areas of your business where you’d like to save money, complete with ROI Tool and Case Studies. Concerned about the expense and implications of your business energy use? See what virtualization can do for you. Other topics for savings include Capital Conservation, Travel & Communications, Business & Marketing Insight and more. See it for yourself (now that you know the caveat).
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