Microsoft Prefers Flash to Silverlight

[RSS News User]

<p>Despite all the <a href="http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/123837.asp">controversy</a> over Microsoft using <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/">Silverlight</a> to take over the rich internet market from Adobe Flash, the software giant seems to be not even trying. In fact, even most Microsoft web sites are using Flash instead of Silverlight. </p>

<p>A quick check through Microsoft properties reveals that only the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx">Microsoft Home Page</a> <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/db/Silverlight.png/150px-Silverlight.png" align="right"> and the <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx">Microsoft Developer Network</a> use Silverlight; MSN Video, <a href="http://Zune.net">Zune.net</a> and the new <a href="http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/">WWTelescope</a> all use Flash. </p>

<p>Microsoft even appears to be on par with Adobe when it comes to platforms outside of Windows. Silverlight works on Safari for Mac or PC, as well as on Firefox and other Mozilla-based browsers. Silverlight even seems to work <a href="http://blog.crazyboomerang.com/2007/12/silverlight-in-opera.html">"unofficially"</a> on Opera (as long you pretend you're not running Opera). </p>

<p>Silverlight isn't supported in Linux, but as an avid Ubuntu fan, I can tell you that Flash does not work well in Linux either. A host of open-source alternatives, like <a href="http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash/">Gnash</a>, have mostly solved that issue. <a href="http://www.java-entrepreneur.com/50226711/adobe_ceo_questions_microsoft_silverlight_crosspla tform_commitment.php">Former Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen's</a> fears of Microsoft favoring Windows seem incredibly unfounded.</p>

<p>But if Microsoft is playing nice for a change, why are they afraid of promoting their product -- and why are they afraid of even using it? Maybe "nice" is too novel a strategy for Redmond. It may take some getting used to -- for everyone.</p><div class="feedflare">
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