Microsoft Silverlight

marsmimar said:

whs said:

I understand that Silverlight is a cross platform development tool. But as someone who develops nothing (at least not anymore), do I need to keep that on my system?. They always shower me with those massive Silverlight updates that seem to do nothing for me.

If anybody uses Silverlight, it would be interesting to know what they do with it.

The only thing I use Silverlight for is the occasional Microsoft help video that just won't run without it. Silverlight 4 and all of its updates is using 48.7MB on my laptop. I figured it's easier to keep it on my machine in case I need it than to have to install it every so often.

That's a fair point.

rap33042 said:

I need it for NetFlix streaming...

I've read that it is indeed MicroSoft's answer to Flash...

Speaking of which, have you figured out how to adjust brightness and contrast with the thing? I've used it in Firefox and Chromium based browsers. Some Netflix videos are like trying to watch audio only. I haven't found any way to adjust the brightness. I'm not going to fiddle with the hw settings on my monitor just to watch a Netflix vid. The software player should have controls for it. If it does, I haven't found 'em.

It's kind of a shame because some of the vids on there are good for a quick diversion. Like a 1/2 hour TV episode where I wouldn't want to bother renting the entire disk.

In IE9 Beta which I just installed the "Bing Bar" required Silverlight. Although I think you can run without the "Bing Bar".

MilesAhead said:

rap33042 said:

I need it for NetFlix streaming...

I've read that it is indeed MicroSoft's answer to Flash...

Speaking of which, have you figured out how to adjust brightness and contrast with the thing? I've used it in Firefox and Chromium based browsers. Some Netflix videos are like trying to watch audio only. I haven't found any way to adjust the brightness. I'm not going to fiddle with the hw settings on my monitor just to watch a Netflix vid. The software player should have controls for it. If it does, I haven't found 'em.

It's kind of a shame because some of the vids on there are good for a quick diversion. Like a 1/2 hour TV episode where I wouldn't want to bother renting the entire disk.

I know what you mean - some are terribly dark.
My primitive solution has been to do a User setup on my monitor to make things really bright. Then, when I go into 'Movie-Watching-Mode' I use the monitor's buttons to use that setting.

Pain in the neck, but it works...

I suppose you could try setting up a profile in your Display Adapter's Control Panel? don't know... haven't tried that approach.

SledgeDG said:

I haven't gotten my lazy butt around to connect my tv to the router to get netflix.
The TV (Sony Bravia) is supposed to be "Netflix ready" whatever that means.
With an average turnover time of 2 days (means: if I drop a movie in the mailbox, 2 days later I have the next on my list) it's not a pressing matter. If it ever should be urgent I can still watch those movies online.
I'm more online than in front of a tv anyways WAAAY more

-DG

Sledge, they have a new plan where you can get netflix movies right from your tv.
Call the toll free number and talk to someone. I did but my tv's are too old so I need to buy the box for each tv I have.

rap33042 said:

MilesAhead said:

rap33042 said:

I need it for NetFlix streaming...

I've read that it is indeed MicroSoft's answer to Flash...

Speaking of which, have you figured out how to adjust brightness and contrast with the thing? I've used it in Firefox and Chromium based browsers. Some Netflix videos are like trying to watch audio only. I haven't found any way to adjust the brightness. I'm not going to fiddle with the hw settings on my monitor just to watch a Netflix vid. The software player should have controls for it. If it does, I haven't found 'em.

It's kind of a shame because some of the vids on there are good for a quick diversion. Like a 1/2 hour TV episode where I wouldn't want to bother renting the entire disk.

I know what you mean - some are terribly dark.
My primitive solution has been to do a User setup on my monitor to make things really bright. Then, when I go into 'Movie-Watching-Mode' I use the monitor's buttons to use that setting.

Pain in the neck, but it works...

I suppose you could try setting up a profile in your Display Adapter's Control Panel? don't know... haven't tried that approach.

With my luck the whole thing would turn black. Then I wouldn't be able to see to unset it!! It's just totally weird a flaw like that just goes on for months and years.

I don't get the wild variation. It seems bizarre. I advance the slider. If it doesn't get bright soon I kill the video. I don't like to watch online for long anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion though. :)