Miguel de Icaza recently announced that a moonlight beta is available here.

Miguel also has some dev and media codec info here, and also this post includes a survey which requests input on which platforms should be supported with binary packages and media codecs. Google docs are blocked for me, but can some of you nice ITT members provide some feedback indicating that IT support would be nice pretty please? Thanks!!

No thanks.

No thanks.

Ok, I understand all the hate here but moonlight would open the door for stuff like having netflix and blockbuster streaming which I am sure many would appreciate. IMO, it isn't any more onerous that having something like flash installed.

I think it's good to have more options.

In principle: yes!

However, with some technologies (such as Silverlight and .NET, but also Flash) you can't help but wonder if maybe the world would be a better place without them.
Also, Miguel de Icaza as a person is, well... let's say "highly controversial".

So as somebody who regularly disables Flash (or doesn't install it in the first place), my personal opinion is it would not be nice to have Silverlight on the tablets. Therefore, I will not go there and ask for support on this platform.

In the end, though, you're right (as always ). It's good to have more options, as long as one of these options is "disable".

I look at it as a matter of usage.

I hate Flash ads. Despise them. Especially rhe ones that expand to steal your screen.

But I love Flash games and some applications. I think I'll have the same feelings for Silverlight.

The evil is in the use, not the thing.

As much as I hate Flash, I do think it'd be beneficial to have something to compete with it.

However, I worry that Microsoft would leverage it's pre-installed OS base to beat Flash. And once Microsoft had a (near)monopoly, they'd make it difficult to browse the web on alternate platforms.

Let us be pragmatic. While pushing for alternatives for Flash and .NET (Java is too late but might catch up again?) being able to be compatible is a big plus for users. Especially if you don't want Linux/ARM to be a niche. In the meanwhile, don't become too dependant on these proprietary technologies, and don't force the politrix upon users. Give them choice and liberty to choose the proprietary technology if they wish to.

I agree, its nice to get something like Silverlight supported on linux devices. IMHO these web technologies are what can bring open linux fully into mainstream.