Microsoft Silverlight - do I need it?

pandora205

I was just looking at my Windows Update to see that I am being offered the installation of Silverlight. I've tried to read up on it though I'm still not sure if I would use it/need it. It seems to be a freebie from Windows so wouldn't cost anything.

I have Vista and various stuff already installed (e.g. Media Player and Movie Maker) and I can watch BBC iplayer., utube etc. I've not got round to doing any editing of video or anything though I might potentially want to do this in the future.

Advice please?

superscaper

It's essentially Microsoft's equivalent of Adobe's Flash player. Not really much of an impact on resources if you install it. Whether you need it or not depends on if any sites you visit etc use Silverlight technology in the same way whether you need Flash player depends on the sites you visit. Silverlight is a latecomer so there's very little use of it at the moment but I've personally got it installed because some of MS's own sites do use it. And it may gain in popularity as time goes on. If you're unsure then don't install it, you'll be prompted to in future anyway if you do come across a site that requires/is enhanced by it.

[Deleted User]

It's not essential.. erm.. yeh, what superscaper said