Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

Will it be an add-on, or installed in the base OS?

If it's installed in the base OS, will there be a control panel to disable it?

If it's an add-on, I'll be happy (because I can simply choose to not add it, or to remove it at some point).

If it's not an add-on, but it has a control panel (or something similar) where I can completely disable it, then I'll be happy with that.

If neither of those is true, I wont be happy about it. Choice is best. Expanding our choices of apps by having it available is good. Retaining our choice to not have it at all, and not worry that it impacts us on some hidden level, is also good.

(and, frankly, as much as I hate MS, I am undecided about whether or not I'd use it)

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

I don't see why it would need to attach to the underlying OS. It should just act as a browser plugin (possible with install of a lite VM to run .Net code).

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

First of all, the right term here is "bundled", not "attached" (which implies to me that you think I was suggesting it might be a kernel module or something; I made no such implication).

The same general thing could be said of several things that are included in the base OS install.

The bluetooth setup wizard. The browser. The email client. The IM client. The calculator. etc.

None of that needs to be "attached to the OS". But they are bundled with it.


A browser plugin could easily fall into the category of "add-on" or "installed with the base OS", either one. "Browser plugin" is an implementation issue, "add-on vs base install" is a code distribution issue. Entirely orthogonal to each other.

Also, I was under the impression that there was more to silverlight than web apps... like Java, not everything is part of the browser, you can have full blown applications as well. Isn't that also true with silverlight? If so, then I doubt a full silverlight implementation would _just_ be a browser plugin.

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

Plz from now on make your own points without reference to subsections of paragraphs (taken out of context) of comments i make... and i will pay you the same courtesy.

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

Sorry, I misunderstood you. I do understand the difference between bundled applications and OS components.
Silverlight 2.0 implements the same version of the CLR as .NET 3.0. The included libraries are a small subset of the .Net Bass Class Library. AFAIK, the CLR is fairly lightweight and small.

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

So, what I was thinking of, as a framework that would support something comparable to Java Applictions (and not just Java Applets) is bigger than Silverlight? And Silverlight is more comparable to "just" Java Applet support, and/or Flash*?


(* there are some stand-alone flash players, but they're really just a "here, run this applet in something other than your browser", from what I understand ...)

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

Looks like we're in two camps. One group feels it is a welcome addition to have, even if there's a (proven?) risk of being associated with Redmond, and another group who feels we don't need the big bad wolf.

There's something to be said for having this obscure device (face it - it's still obscure) with an incredibly intelligent and active support community. It's like we have our little secret and we only want to share with those we know would appreciate it. On the other hand, do we sacrifice the potential of success to stave off the risk of annihilation? Take a look at how most successful companies became big. They took risks.

I'm with TexRat. Let's take the risk. It'll improve market penetration of the ITs. Maybe as a result we won't have to pay $470 for the next version...

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

I would be inclined to agree, except that particular company has a longstanding tradition of taking things over and closing out development to all but those who wish to pay for an SDK.

So, the trade-off is: smaller user-base with open source software and free SDK, or larger user base, possibly lower per-unit costs, and commercial software with no or prohibitively expensive SDK.

It seems to me, there's already plenty of PDA and small electronic organizers on the market with closed source applications in software or firmware. I'll take my open source SDK and applications on my linux-based internet tablet, thank you very much.

MS can continue mucking about in the desktop/server market, and leave us alone.

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

I fear the day that ITT would become like the average Iphone forum. If you have ever visited one you know what I mean.

Re: Microsoft Silverlight Coming to the Internet Tablet
 

there was a lot of discussion on the OESF (mainly zaurus, some simpad, some archos) forum about starting a section for Asus EEE. People wanted it because the normal eee forums were chock full of people asking the same dumb questions. People wouldn't buy a piano or guitar without expecting to have to learn how to use them and even taking some tuition, but they can buy an enormously complex computer and expect it to be easy.

this forum is excellent for friendly people and lack of junk. the OESF forum is also very good. in both cases it's the communities who've made the devices achieve so much! I probably wouldn't have bought an N800 without this resource to draw on, I lurked for months before taking the plunge.

/me climbs off his high horse.