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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."

6 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. Surprise, surprise! by Mostly+a+lurker · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Microsoft does not act to make desktop Linux more attractive.

  2. Huh? by aurelian · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Does that mean every technology or product released by anybody not supporting Linux is a 'step back for Linux'?

  3. .NET by dhasenan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's based on .NET, so unless there are specific OS checks in the binaries, it should be possible to run the Firefox plugin with Mono (probably with modifications to Mono, since it doesn't have any .NET 3 support yet). And since there's a Mac version, we can be reasonably certain that things like UNIX-style paths are supported.

    This is actually better for Linux users than MS's traditional behavior.

  4. Excuse me by also-rr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I posted this exact same conspiracy theory yesterday! I should have posted it to an add laden blog so Slashdot would whore it for me ;).

    Anyway, It's not just 64 bit platform users who are benefitting, the open source flash efforts are now working on PPC which makes a nice change. My old powerbook is now much more useful for web browsing than before.

    --
    Think of the Children; Sleep with your Sister
  5. Re:Whatever - Flamebait Story by alexhs · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wow, a copy of an OS News flame post :) (same team of astroturfers ?)

    Seriously, there is none so deaf as he who will not hear.

    What about all these fine standards made available by the W3C ? SMIL maybe ?

    Wait, nobody uses it because MSIE, used by 80% of people, doesn't implement it. Who's at fault ?
    From the Wikipedia, implementation have been made mainly for handheld and mobile devices... where MSIE doesn't rule.

    --
    I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of killer sig, which this margin is too narrow to contain.
  6. Re:Why would MS support Linux? by mgiuca · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why would Microsoft support Linux?

    Hmm... I don't know. Five months ago they signed a deal with Novell in the interest of enhancing interoperability between Linux and Windows. Remember that?

    Are you telling me that was all a sham??? :O