E-Learning Community 2.0

Now, this is one nice gadget to have for PC controls. A device that reads brain wave and signals then translate it into digital input signals. So, what does it applies to e-Learning then? Well it’s all about the experience, I see the possible future for technology such as these in immersive 3D e-Learning. For [...]

Soon after Adobe released Apollo - a tool that brings Flash contents a step closer to the client side desktop, Microsoft reveals it’s counter strike tool – Silverlight, formerly code-named “WPF/E” . Microsoft’s description of this new program is,

Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of Microsoft .NET–based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

In my understanding, Silverlight is a new Scalable Vector Graphics tool built on Microsoft’s .NET technology with a focus of media components integration. Another word, Silverlight is a new Flash player where combines vector graphics, raster graphics, sound files, video files, and human interaction elements. There have been many discussion on Microsoft Silverlight Vs Adobe Flash. Grant Skinner has a pretty good summary on this topic. In general, I believe the only way for Microsoft to succeed with Silverlight technology is:

1.Focus on the market, dump tons (I mean TONS) of cash towards the promotion of this new software. This one I am almost certain is the least to worry for Microsoft.

2.Understand the usesrs’ and content creators’ need. Design a good user interface for the Sliverlight content authoring. I see the true value of Flash as it provided a bridge between the logically creative developers and the artistically creative designers. The geeky coders were excited by Flash’s simple to use interface and yet powerful scripting engine. The visual designers appreciate the simplicity of the scripting aspect of Flash.

3.Microsoft MUST think cross platform. If Microsoft can not provide both a good user interface and a flawless client side compiler (player), Silverlight is aimed to fail. It’s dead simple, most of the telanted designers I know are using Mac… Not to mention I had some “funny” bugs when I installed Silverlight to my Firefox in Windows XP. I had to restart a few times to see the installed plugin.

4.Break the “search engine black box theory” on rich media content. It’s just fatal that standard search engines can not pick up Flash contents. It’s like you putting content into a black box. My limited understanding of Silverlight is much contents are in well organized XML format where indexing it by the searching engines are feasible.

5.More power. You can’t just “duplicate” the existing power of Flash player, Microsoft needs to invent some well differentiated new features like 3D Open GL support…

6.Microsoft needs to see they are not just competing with 1 of Adobe’s product, they need to consider taking on the entire Adobe’s product line. At the least be prepared for it. Because after the merge between Adobe and Macromedia, applications like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat PDF and Premiere are working together closer than ever. Adobe is creating a true harmony among their web/media publishing tools.

I may add more points to this post later. In conclusion, a majority of designers/developers doing RIA (Rich Internet Applicaitons) and Online content publishing are using Adobe applications. As much as I want to see other alternative technology to take on Flash, I still think Silverlight has a long way to go…

VS

Saw this youtube video clip today at a Chinese web site. I think it is a combination of advertisement of Intel from various of sources. But still, it is well put together. The article say we may be there in 10 years, I say in 3-5 years. Some of the technology is already existing, but the video gives them a nice twist:

- Watch based communication device;
- Voice control home appliances;
- Home entertainment system links up to home office system;
- 3D GPS navigation system;
- Risk band communication system with online community functionality built-in…

It’s amazing how fast the technology inventions are taking place now days… Check it out, really cool!

According to sina.com, a research team lead by the University of Tokyo created a new record of the Internet speed. The record was actually created back in December 31st, 2006 where the Internet speed reached 9.08 Gbps which could be the fastest practical speed of Internet 2. The theoratical speed limit of Internet is 10Gbps. (The practical speed require a 10 percent improvement for recognition) The test was conducted by transmitting data over a 20 thousands miles path using the newer Internet addressing system – IPv6.

According to this speed, transmitting a high resolution movie could only take 30 seconds. The report says a cpacity of 100 Gbps network is under constructiong by the Internet 2 consortium. What are we going to do with all that speed?!