Download Microsoft Silverlight 2.0

Microsoft has released version 2.0 of Silverlight. This program can be seen as a counterpart to Adobe Flash and does its job in the form of a plugin for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari on both Mac OS X and Windows. Silverlight can therefore display interactive applications and videos in the browser. For more information about this release, please refer to this blog by Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president from the Microsoft Developer Division. The following abbreviated list of improvements is mentioned in this announcement:

Highlights of new Silverlight 2 features include the following:

• .NET Framework support with a rich base class library. This is a compatible subset of the full .NET Framework.
• Powerful built-in controls. These include DataGrid, ListBox, Slider, ScrollViewer, Calendar controls and more.
• Advanced skinning and templating support. This makes it easy to customize the look and feel of an application.
• Deep zoom. This enables unparalleled interactivity and navigation of ultrahigh resolution imagery.
• Comprehensive networking support. Out-of-the-box support allows calling REST, WS*/SOAP, POX, RSS and standard HTTP services, enabling users to create applications that easily integrate with existing back-end systems.
• Expanded .NET Framework language support. Unlike other runtimes, Silverlight 2 supports a variety of programming languages, including Visual Basic, C#, JavaScript, IronPython and IronRuby, making it easier for developers already familiar with one of these languages ​​to repurpose their existing skill sets.
• Advanced content protection. This now includes Silverlight DRM, powered by PlayReady, offering robust content protection for connected Silverlight experiences.
• Improved server scalability and expanded advertiser support. This includes new streaming and progressive download capabilities, superior search engine optimization techniques, and next-generation in-stream advertising support.
• Vibrant partner ecosystem. Visual Studio Industry Partners such as ComponentOne LLC, Infragistics Inc. and Telerik Inc. are providing products that further enhance developer capabilities when creating Silverlight applications using Visual Studio.
• Cross platform and cross browser support. This includes support for Mac, Windows and Linux in Firefox, Safari and Windows Internet Explorer.

More information and details about Silverlight 2 are available by reading the Silverlight 2 fact sheet.