What is “Silverlight?

"Silverlight" a free Microsoft software Plug-In, similar to the Adobe Flash Plug-In.  These plug-ins are used by our Internet Browsers including Internet Explorer, (Chrome, Firefox and Safari).  This means that anyone with Windows XP, Vista or 7 Operating Systems most likely are also using Silverlight (along with Flash).  

Silverlight can also work on Intel-based Apple computers, and even works on Windows based smartphones – in December 2011, Microsoft introduced the 5^th version of Silverlight…

Both Silverlight and Flash are used to create “online presentations” such as videos and other animated graphic presentations – they basically run in the background and usually we have no idea that is what our computer is using to help us view what we are watching online…

Most computers have both on them and when you visit a website, it will use whichever “plug-in” is best..

Note: Plug-In’s according to Wikipedia.com are a set of software components that adds specific abilities to a larger software application. If supported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses, and display new file types. Well-known plug-ins examples include Adobe Flash Player, QuickTime, and Microsoft Silverlight.

WHAT ARE PLUG INS….

PLUG-INS are small computer bits of software, typically free, that let you view a document, interact with an image, listen to music or watch a video. When you have the right PLUG-IN software application, you can view different information formats in your browser window on your computer, so that you can listen to your favorite song, see animations and videos and read documents that are secured in PDF format. Example: if you want to play a game that uses Shockwave and you don't have it on your computer you'll be prompted to install it. Once installed, you usually have to restart your browser or even your operating system to make a plug-in active. What popular PLUG-INS do:

Real Player - Popular sound and video player

Flash Player - Used for animations and games

Shockwave Player - Used for 3d animations and games

Cortona - Used for viewing and interacting with virtual environments

Acrobat - This is a reader, that is needed to look at PDF files

QuickTime - used for high quality video

Windows Media Player - Microsoft's media player - plays sound and video

iPIX - Used for viewing 3D Picture Bubbles

VLC Media Player - Some say this is the best media player for windows plays sound & video