Microsoft Silverlight Frequently Asked Questions

What is Microsoft Silverlight?
Is Silverlight free?
Which platforms and browsers will Silverlight 2 support?
Will I need more memory, a faster processor or a better Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?
Should developers/organizations wait until Silverlight 2 RTW to build applications?
Are the features of the Macintosh and Windows releases of Silverlight fully compatible?
When would a customer use Silverlight instead of ASP.NET AJAX?
When would a customer use Silverlight versus Windows Presentation Foundation? Is Silverlight for a certain type of application?
What is the relationship between Silverlight and Windows Media Player?

Q. What is Microsoft Silverlight?

A. Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform and cross-device plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET-based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. By using Silverlight’s support for .NET, high-definition video, cost-effective advanced streaming, unparalleled high-resolution interactivity with Deep Zoom technology and controls, businesses can reach out to new markets across the Web, desktop and devices.

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Q. Is Silverlight free?

A. Yes, Microsoft has made the Silverlight browser plug-in freely available for all supported platforms and browsers.

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Q. Which platforms and browsers will Silverlight 2 support?

A. Silverlight will support all major browsers on both Mac OS X and on Windows. Particular care is being taken to account for differences in platform and browser capabilities to ensure a consistent experience including experiences on Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer. Microsoft will extend the support for Silverlight on Linux through a partnership with Novell.

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Q. Will I need more memory, a faster processor or a better Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?

A. Microsoft designed Silverlight with the ability to deliver high-fidelity experiences on the broadest set of system configurations. Some features, such as HD video, may benefit from newer personal computers. Final system requirements will be available at release.

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Q. Should developers/organizations wait until Silverlight 2 RTW to build applications?

A. As with all pre-release software organizations should proceed knowing that things can change. While Microsoft does everything to ensure every Beta reaches a high quality bar, Beta 1 is not meant for mission critical applications. Microsoft recommends that companies begin to experiment and build with the Beta to make sure applications are ready to deploy on subsequent releases.

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Q. Are the features of the Macintosh and Windows releases of Silverlight fully compatible?

A. Yes.

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Q. When would a customer use Silverlight instead of ASP.NET AJAX?

A. Silverlight integrates with existing Web applications, including ASP.NET AJAX applications. Consequently, ASP.NET AJAX and Silverlight are designed to be complementary technologies. In the broader sense, Silverlight can talk to any AJAX application, both client-side and server-side. ASP.NET AJAX can additionally be used to control Silverlight-based visualization of data or delivery of rich experiences. Examples might include mapping applications or video playback with rich presentation.
ASP.NET AJAX and Silverlight at final release will also benefit its status as a fully supported technology from Microsoft with the benefits of technical support around the clock and the breadth support of the Microsoft development community. AJAX is a fundamental technology supported in Silverlight and now, in ASP.NET.

Customers can enhance existing ASP.NET or ASP.NET AJAX applications by using Silverlight’s media experiences and RIAs.

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Q. When would a customer use Silverlight versus Windows Presentation Foundation? Is Silverlight for a certain type of application?

A. Microsoft recommends the Windows Presentation Foundation for building rich immersive applications and experiences that can take full advantage of the Windows platform, including UI, Media, offline communication, OS integration, Office integration, peripheral access, Document support and more. Silverlight will be used for broad reach interactive media content and browser-based rich interactive and high-performance applications and experiences.

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Q. What is the relationship between Silverlight and Windows Media Player?

A. The Silverlight browser plug-in is a separate component, independent of Windows Media Player. Silverlight is designed for delivery of cross-platform, cross-browser media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIAs) inside a Web browser combining audio, video, animation, overlays and more. Windows Media Player delivers a breadth of local playback and user focused experiences, while also offering support for application and Web page embedding.

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For additional information, visit Microsoft’s Silverlight FAQ

Have a Question? Ask a Microsoft Silverlight Expert