MS Silverlight a Step Back For Linux Users

mattb0611 writes "Just as it seemed that Linux users (especially 64-bit users) would finally be able to enjoy streaming content with a minimum of hassle, Microsoft's new Silverlight software promises to throw a monkey wrench in the works — as they have yet to suggest any sort of Linux platform support."

Comments

Re:Whatever - Flamebait Story

[Anonymous Coward]

The problem isn't the .NET framework aspects of Silverlight. The Linux community could develop a compatible implementation, and you're absolutely right that the burden is on them to do so. The problem is the VC1 video CODEC, which is encumbered by many patents. The Linux community can certainly come up with their own VC1 implementation, but anybody who distributes it is going to be open to a lawsuit.

Re:Aw, come on

[Anonymous Coward]

This got me to thinking, though - they support Mac. Perhaps that could be leveraged into Linux support somehow? I mean, Macs have a BSD-like basis, and a neat set of well-documented Mac APIs on top of it (Cocoa, etc.). How hard would it be to take a Silverlight runtime and write a 'wrapper' (an emulation layer, perhaps like WINE but on a much smaller scale) to get it to work on Linux?

Very, very hard. Forget the smaller scale than WINE - you're going to need large parts of the MacOS video infrastructure (CoreVideo, Quartz, likely QuickTime). If the mac client is not written in Cocoa, you'll need large parts of Carbon. (If it is in Cocoa, you could use GNUstep as a basis and avoid some work). You'ld be better off trying your luck with running the Windows version of Silverlight using WINE.

MacOS's BSD-like basis (and X11 support) means it is usually fairly simple to port Unix applications to MacOS (often just a recompile); the other direction is a lot more difficult.

Re:Whatever - Flamebait Story

[ThaReetLad]

There is already an OSS VC1 implementation, and you're free to use it in any country that does not allow software patents. You can hardly blame Microsoft when they have an obligation to their shareholders to take advantage of any opportunity that the law allows. If it's anyone's fault, its the fault of those who elect governments that allow software patents.