Microsoft Silverlight

[Keysmark]

I've got a 27" iMac, 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5, running the latest Snow Leopard update.

In browsing thru my Applications folder I noticed that I have an app called "Microsoft Silverlight".

I never downloaded that app. Is that part of Snow Leopard? If not, why do I have it, what does it really do? I searched the internet but do not really understand it.

Also, do I need it? Will it degrade performance if I uninstall it?

What is your advice? As you can probably tell, I am a relatively new Mac user and not a computer expert.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Keysmark

 

[Mike225]

Its sort of like Flash. It allows cross platform, cross-browser applications.

Its mostly used for web video streaming and things like Bing Maps for interactive experiences. Just leave it.

 

[mulo]

It's ****, erase it
And it is by no means installed by default.
The same goes for flip4mac which you will also have installed, the pluton doesn't even work! ****!

 

[Mike225]

It's ****, erase it
And it is by no means installed by default.
The same goes for flip4mac which you will also have installed, the pluton doesn't even work! ****!

You sound perturbed

 

[MisterMe]

...

In browsing thru my Applications folder I noticed that I have an app called "Microsoft Silverlight".

....

Also, do I need it? Will it degrade performance if I uninstall it?

What is your advice? As you can probably tell, I am a relatively new Mac user and not a computer expert.

...

It was installed along with either Flip4Mac, Office 2011, or some other Microsoft-endorsed application or utility. The application Earth Browser is built on it. I have no evidence that degrades performance. Without looking over your shoulder, there is no way of knowing if you need it or not.

My guess is that you need it in the near and medium term. However, Microsoft is dropping Silverlight in "favor" of HTML5. I expect Silverlight to slowly fade away.

 

[Keysmark]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Keysmark

 

[Bernard SG]

My guess is that you need it in the near and medium term. However, Microsoft is dropping Silverlight in "favor" of HTML5. I expect Silverlight to slowly fade away.

Fade way huh ?
Only the things that you see can fade away. Silverlight doesn't exist. I mean it exists but not really .

 

[ECUpirate44]

I know netflix online streaming requires silverlight

 

[Mike225]

Fade way huh ?
Only the things that you see can fade away. Silverlight doesn't exist. I mean it exists but not really .

Its the development platform for Windows Phone 7 also as well as Netflix which was mentioned earlier and The Olympics video streaming.

 

[Bernard SG]

Its the development platform for Windows Phone 7 also as well as Netflix which was mentioned earlier and The Olympics video streaming.

Oh?
'kay.