Adnan Siddiqi

Its a great move...

But who will write apps in Flash/Flex in Java/Python/C++ when it will only be for "Flash Player". Silverlight 2 apps can be compiled for desktop (WPFE is subset of WPF).

With Silverlight theoretically same code base can be (re)used in desktop apps...Even with Java/Python etc support; you will only have re usability up to business layer...UI layer will not be portable....

I am kinda biased, as I dont want to learn yet another class library...

<quote>

But who will write apps in Flash/Flex in Java/Python/C++ when it will only be for "Flash Player". Silverlight 2 apps can be compiled for desktop (WPFE is subset of WPF).

With Silverlight theoretically same code base can be (re)used in desktop apps...Even with Java/Python etc support; you will only have re usability up to business layer...UI layer will not be portable....

</quote>

Ah, Microsoft crowd is so ignorant and how they hard they come at you with their baseless arguments. Harvard President once said "If you think education is expensive try ignorance" and I think this quote can be easily tailored to describe religious affiliation of people with Microsoft technologies.

By learning new libraries I meant...understanding UI control libraries their class structures and programming style...

Silverlight UI is WPF subset...Anyone working with WPF (.NET 3 onwards) already know many things, he doesnt have to learn new controls. Similarly the same subset of .NET BCL (Base Class Library) is available in Silverlight 2; you dont have to learn how to do file handling, database connectivity or call web services.

I am not ignorant about Flash...I have used it when they introduced Action Script for the first time...I used when they launched MX...I used it when they introduced Java and .NET server side support...I used it when they released Flex 1...I used it when Flex 2 was introduced....I am going to use it now as well...I have even made blog posts on Flash (http://weblogs.com.pk/khurram)......I havnt used Silverlight though...as my co team workers are not yet impressed...

Now Zahid, please back your argument with some solid points which made you think I am ignorant? Someone said, there are two types of people; those who realized whats the mainstream and join the party....and those who dont...

There you go!

I'm not in it for an argument, but I respect you for couple of reasons that are quite self-explanatory. Now as for backing my arguments, well, my dear I can give you plenty but that would be futile. If you are an uber-technology enthusiast yourself( which you are claiming) then you can easily weigh in on the options. I didn't mean to disrespect you and neither Microsoft technologies. Microsoft has certainly done some good to developer community but they've done more harm. Again I'm not in it for an argument, but if you really know the prowess of some *other* languages & tools then Microsoft tools don't stand a chance. Are the improving? Yes. They have great language architects and Microsoft is certainly pushing things faster than Sun, apparently. I can give you loads of references from ex-MSFTees and amount of desperation felt in MSFT offices. Bottom line: I can give you plenty but don't have time for that.

That being said, please don't take this personally. I take this as a general technology debate with healthy consequences. I really apologize if something offended you (i.e. you not the Microsoft OR people singing their enchilada).

Adnan, thanks for the post and I really apologize for creating noise on your blog.