As a new solution for development of Web front-end application-program, Microsoft Silverlight is one of the main development platforms created by Microsoft’s strategy of Rich Internet Application. Meanwhile it is a link of Microsoft UX strategy, also it is Microsoft’s one attempt (another is WPF) to clearly separate the artistic design from the program developers’ work, but both can cooperate favorably.
At the present time Silverlight has been supported by some major browsers, including IE, Firefox and Safari. Moreover, it is compatible with Mac OS X operating system, Windows Mobile 6.0 and Symbian phones. Meanwhile the open source codes solution, Moonlight, is in support of Linux. Here is an instance of displaying butterflies pictures by Silverlight 1.0. Easily you can find that the interface is so nice.
Silverlight is a subset of WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation); also it is XAML’s subset. Equipped with vector-based drawing and the support of multimedia and graphic display, developers can use declarating development to expand Silverlight application. What’s more, the characteristics of declarating development make it able to integrate with design tools. Thus Microsoft especially develops Microsoft Expression Blend tools for designers who use Silverlight and WPF. The picture following shows a hardrock homepage designed with Silverlight 2.0.
Another example is a casual game created by using Silverlight 2.0. The interface looks really attractive.
Silverlight backs up streaming media, especially for Windows Media and sound effect stream such as MP3, enabling enterprises to use Silverlight to create multimedia applications. Silverlight2.0’s Deep Zoom technology allows large pictures to display at the front end by the browsing form of downloading fragments. This technology has been adopted by Taipei Palace Museum, and developed Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival’s Silverlight edition. To know more effects about Silverlight, you can enter the Taipei Palace Museum website to enjoy the great picture. Notice that the page will hint that you should install Silverlight plug-in first.
Currently Silverlight is always regarded as the web technology to compete with Adobe Flash.
