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MS Silverlight a Step Back For Linux Users

Posted by kdawson on from the no-media-for-penguins dept.

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."

3 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. Whatever - Flamebait Story by N8F8 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm as much a Linux fan as the next guy but I HATE when I see this crap where MS is supposed to wipe the penguin's ass. Time for hte Open Source folks to innovate or get out of the way. Adobe(Macromedia) Flash has been around for a LONG time and I have yet to see anyone attempt to come up with a serious Open Source alternative.

    --
    "God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power
    1. Re:Whatever - Flamebait Story by Realistic_Dragon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That is highly unrealistic. The biggest reason is that as soon as Microsoft pushes Starlight as a 'critical update' (as they did for IE 7) its market share will take a massive jump to over 60%. The best Linux/OSS could manage in an initial stage would be 10% and that is a WILDLY OPTIMISTIC estimate.

      If I were a media manager, considering the current penetration of Flash, I might think about targeting a platform with a 60% share in addition to Flash, 10% would be extremely unlikely. So, a new OSS rich media format wouldn't work not because of the player but because of the content producers.

      --
      Beep beep.
  2. Re:Aw, come on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    MS has a bad habit of dropping cross platform support for their products:
    1) IE for the mac
    2) WMP for the mac
    3) Degraded MS Office functionality in Office 12 (scripting support for the mac).

    They did announce that there might be support for Linux. If there is it won't last.
    Step 1: Create cross platform product
    Step 2: Get everyone to use cross platform product
    Step 3: Drop support for every product that doesn't run Windows
    Step 4: Profit (get customers to switch back to Windows)