It seems everytime I read a article about some service which was made in silverlight I have to go through the whole installation procedure as if I never had it installed. With the flash plugin you are only required to upgrade if the site requires a specific version for some new feature not found in the prior build. If they do not force it then you can still run the app minus the new feature. The upgrade process is in page so you don't loose your place and if it does ask you to restart your browser it brings back the last browser state, tabs and all.
The experience of the silverlight olympics coverage is elementary at best when compared to a similar online video experience of a service built in flash. Yes they have xml playlist, streaming, ect but this makes it seem like silverlight is trying to copy the flash experience instead of differentiating itself as something new and innovative.
For a project like the Olympics you would think it would be wise to use the service which is the closest to achieving ubiquity, especially since it is ad supported and the revenue is generated by click or impressions. One nice thing about flash is the user most likely already has it on their system. People do not like installing plugins period. Why would a company move back to this model when computer users all around the spectrum are more knowledgeable when it comes to viruses, malicious firmware, spyware, ect. Especially when it comes from microsoft you know it will be a target.
I do like new technologies don't get me wrong. What I do not like is new technologies that has no advantage over the old one. Silverlight has a long way to go before it can do anything better and also seems to be also far off till it can even do it the same.
The opening Olympic ceremony in Beijing is underway just don’t expect to watch them live. That’ll happen later on Friday so the Web doesn’t cannibalize TV for NBC. It’s one of many hurdles you must clear to watch a little Olympic video.
But I can live with the lack of live Olympic Web video for the kickoff (Techmeme). If you paid a few billion for broadcasting rights you may do the same (for now a gallery will have to do). Onto the hurdles: First there was the Silverlight plug-in for Firefox, but that was to be expected. I could have lived without the browser restart, but whatever.
Also see: Will the Olympics melt the Internet?
Time Warner’s Olympic boost, courtesy NBC
Once Silverlight was installed I had to dance through that quirky TV model. You know the one where you have to kiss the tails of the local affiliates.
Hurdle 1: Enter your zip and cable provider so you can let them know you pay for service. In return you get exclusive Web video. Sure you do. NBC is really just letting its partners know that you wouldn’t dare watch the Olympics on your laptop instead of the TV.
Hurdle 2: Then you have to narrow down your exact cable provider. This is for TV listings (or market research).
Hurdle 3: Let’s double check your local station.
The lesson: Don’t clear out those cookies or you’ll have to clear these hurdles again.
