Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.60818.0 RC
Microsoft Silverlight is a powerful tool for creating and delivering rich Internet applications and media experiences on the Web. Silverlight 5 builds on the foundation of Silverlight 4 for building business applications and premium media experiences. Among other capabilities, the Silverlight 5 beta highlights dramatic video quality and performance improvements, and features that improve developer productivity.
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.
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.
Building next-generation business applications:
Fluid user interface enables smoother animation within the UI. Inter-Layout Transitions allow developers to specify animations to apply when elements are added, removed or re-ordered within a layout. This provides smoother user experiences when, for example, items are inserted into a list.
Text improvements make it possible to build rich magazine-style text layouts:
· Multicolumn text and linked text container allow text to flow around other elements.
· Tracking/leading set precisely how far apart each character is for full creative control.
· Text clarity is improved with Pixel Snapping.
· Text layout performance is significantly improved.
· OpenType support has been enhanced.
· Compelling Experiences
· Custom branded experiences using 2D vector graphics, animation, styling, and skinning
· HD video and adaptive streaming techniques for world-class media experiences
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