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Silverlight is Microsoft's new collection of software to support rich web-based applications. You may not need it yet, but eventually you might.
I just did a check for fixes & updates using Windows Updates. The result of the check was a software update for which I do not know if I should download and install it or not. As an "end user" home computer, I don't know if I need "Silverlight v1.0". I was wondering if you could shed some light on this Silverlight and, generally speaking, whether or not a home user would need or use Silverlight.
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Do you need it? Probably not yet. But I'm guessing that someday you will want it.
And even if you don't, I'm guessing not having it will, eventually, be annoying enough that you'll give in and install it anyway.
This is a frustratingly classic case of "Resistance is Futile".
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Here's the Microsoft line on Silverlight:
Microsoft Silverlight delivers a new generation of high-quality audio and video, engaging media experiences, and interactive applications for the Web.
In a way, Silverlight is much like Adobe's Flash in that it enables a bunch of functionality that "plain old HTML" simply doesn't support such as animation, video, multimedia and more. In fact, Silverlight is considered in many ways a Flash competitor.
So, do you need it?
Probably not yet. The number of web sites that are using it is actually small. It's unlikely that you'll actually see any difference as you browse the web without Silverlight for some time, with a few exceptions.
Microsoft is of course pushing everyone to install Silverlight support on their machines so that website authors will be encouraged to use the new technology. You're seeing it in Windows Update. In fact, if you simply visit the Microsoft home page, you'll likely be prompted right there to install it as well, since Microsoft is naturally also using the technology itself. At this point, it's not a requirement, but it wouldn't surprise me if someday certain key features required Silverlight.
My guess is that it's simply going to become annoying.
You may run into a site where you actually want to install it to get the site's functionality, and that's fine. It's actually a fairly small download and install.
What I expect, though, is to be nagged into submission by Windows Update, and by visiting sites that don't require it, but promise some kind "enhanced experience" if you have do it.
Like microsoft.com.
Right now there are bumps in the road. I'm finding that if you're running Internet Explorer all seems to be well. Silverlight installs and runs just fine. However, if you are visiting Microsoft.com with FireFox 3, the site doesn't believe that Silverlight is installed and keeps offering it, even though Silverlight is most definitely installed.
That's a little frustrating, but sadly not terribly surprising.
So my bottom line: you can keep avoiding it, if you like. Chances are that for now you won't really notice any issues other than the occasional reminder that you haven't installed it.
Me? I gave in and installed it, just to remove one more annoyance.
It does at times seem that resistance is futile.
Article C3445 - July 14, 2008
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
I am still in the process of believing that we are the mugs ie not only do we not understand what we really need, we do not even understand it when we have bought it. We have become techie sheep!! I may have silverlight because I can see the updates for it, but have little idea whether it is being used by my PC. Ah well I will carry on regardless. Thanks for the article though I will leave well alone.
Posted by: Rosiejan at June 23, 2011 11:16 AMWhen I chanced on SL a few years ago, i.e. a website asking for it to be installed, I went to Microsoft's website to learn more about it.
Posted by: Cheng at July 21, 2011 1:13 AMSpent a few hours reading that stuff, and in the end decided that I understood less then nothing about it.
As I remember it was written with Web designers and other bytesbiters in the IT business in mind.
Probably my fault but at a certain moment it crossed my mind:"what the heck do they try to prove here?"
I'm a bit suspicious and if I don't understand what they want to install, and it's not clear to my what it actually does (without my permission probably), I stay away.
Until this very day I don't have the feeling I'm missing that "wonderful experience".
Websites that urge me to install SL are a simple click away from sites that don't.
Seeing the comments from users that ran into problems upon install, whether a program glitch or a conflict due to other software installed, I feel that until know it's been good decision not to.
-But never say never-
One little annoyance: it keeps on popping up, whether I indicate that I don't want to see this update again, or not.
So, If I have Chrome, where, Adobe FP, and Java, are all-inclusive, will adding Silverlight cause issues? I have all three, and I've had nothing but problems with my Java not loading, the littla Java dot circles, round and round, (Facebook Games of course or I should say ROCK YOU inc. Games are the biggest issue, won't load at all,) and I'm thinking there may be a conflict of interest here...Is the `Headache to come' already here? Thanks for your help and wealth of info, you write in a manner that even the "lay-personna's," can absorb! Shea R.
Posted by: Shea Rich at September 24, 2011 12:01 PMuseful article ..thankyou
Posted by: wayneb at October 16, 2011 7:18 AMEVERY DAY this is requesting to download as an update..
FREAKING ANNOYING!!!
ARRRRG!
Thanks for the answer though-just confirmed my suspicions-much appreciated.
10-Nov-2011
Posted by: Lee at November 6, 2011 2:21 PM