By the way, why is everyone so opposed to switching to Silverlight because it's a MS product, but comfortable using WMP? I mean, it sounds like everyone who is decrying MS's involvement is already using instant watch, which means . . . um Windows. Is it just that they don't want an MS component on your Mac partition? Am I missing something?

cannibalpeas sez: "why is everyone so opposed to switching to Silverlight because it's a MS product, but comfortable using WMP?"

For me, it is the usual Microsoft attitude of throwing BETA quality software out into the world and seeing if it sticks. Version 2 of Silverlight is still somewhat unreliable on the Mac. I also resent anything that is infected with DRM. I'm so tired of the manipulation of we, the customer, by companies that think we're all evil and out to destroy them. Instead of the attitude of 'The Customer Is King' the attitude is 'The Customer Is a Pirate, so screw them.' If that's how I'm going to be treated, then see you out on the torrent streams, jerks.

Microsoft took many years and iterations of horrifyingly bad media players until they hit 'version 9' of Windows Media Player. And of course they had to be arrogant enough to call it 'Windows' versus 'Microsoft' Media Player. Their attitude is much like described above where clearly the point is the manipulate the customer. As per usual, most of the web sites decided to forgo offering Quicktime streaming, for no good reason whatsoever that I am aware of. Instead they stick you with WMP or Real. But surprise! WMP finally grew up and works great, especially compared to the now antiquated crummy quality of Real. I'd go with Quicktime any time. But being stuck with WMP has turned out to be no curse at all. Well, except for the fact that Microsoft AGAIN stuck it to the Mac community and refused to provide any access to their DRM infected versions of WMP media. AFAIAC that's their stupid mistake. It only solidifies my use of Quicktime and iTunes DRM infected media (laughing up my sleeve).

I have no doubt that Silverlight will be perfected for Mac. It has its flaky moments on Windows XP, but is generally very good. It's just that the BETA period isn't over yet for Mac. So have fun dealing with the bugs kids.

Do I despise Microsoft? Why wouldn't any sane and anti-sadomasochism human being despise Microsoft? They've single handedly kept us stuck in a dark age of computing when IMHO we should be way ahead of where we are now. I always tell people "Gawd help us if Apple ruled the computer community!" What is required is real competition as well as collaboration within the community to generate innovation and progress. Microsoft hate both and have done their best to destroy them through their actions for over two decades now. Their rigging the market to force purchases of Windows with every PC, their rigging of Enterprise software and engulf and destroy attitude toward software competitors has been incredibly detrimental. Argue all you like about knee-jerk attitudes toward Microsoft. In my case me despising them is founded in fact and history. The world would be far better off without them and good riddance. You don't have to be some pea brain or some Mac fanboi cool-aid drinking hippy fascist commie pinko moron to figure out that Microsoft is not good for you.

You have my kind permission to flame me back. But I guarantee I've heard all the boring excuses for Microsoft's bad behavior many times before. Wait... let me fluff up my pillow in preparation for the sleep induction to follow.... There. Flame away.

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Fortune Magazine 11-29-05: 'What's your computer setup today?' Frederick Brooks: 'I happily use a Macintosh. It's not been equalled for ease of use, and I want my computer to be a tool, not a challenge.' http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/12/12/8363107/ [Frederick Brooks is the author of 'The Mythical Man Month'. He spearheaded the movement to modernize computer software engineering in 1975.]

Yeah, there is that as well. Microsoft is really selling out their customers to get in bed with the Hollywood bosses.

My theory is that everyone's stuff would work the way we expect it to, and we (the customers) would not be treated like criminals. We might pay more for it, but overall it would be a more satisfying consumer experience.

Apple may not rule the computer community, but you have to give credit for the incredible amount of influence our platform has had over the years, in spite of such a small market share.

On the contrary, I think M$ loves innovation. New ideas have been a staple of their "embrace, extend & extinguish" M.O. for years. Why should they be a leader in innovation when you can throw your weight around with sheer market domination? Then competitor's ideas are ripe for the reverse engineering.

How'd you do that? I just tried watching a movie but was only able to watch the preview. After that NetFlix tells me that it doesn't recognize Mac.

I have silverlight installed on a MacBook Pro 2.16 core duo using 10.5.5 and Safari. I'd like to learn how you got NetFlix to run. THanks

Jim,

After downloading Silverlight 2.0, which you have apparentlly done, open browser and type netflix.com/sliverlightoptin or

/optinsilverlight, I forget which. You will then be good to go. Watched 2 movies last night...working fine on iMac runing 10.5.5.

Dick