Microsoft Silverlight to arrive on Linux through Mono project

A Mono project representative has confirmed that they are going to work to bring the Microsoft Silverlight technology to the Linux platform.

Microsoft recently introduced their Silverlight technology to take on Adobe’s Flash technology on the web. They have announced support for the Windows and Mac platforms.

Mono Project representative Miguel de Icaza said in a statement: “It’s a natural extension to what we’re doing. It’s almost a next logical step for us.”

The Mono Project provides an implementation of the Microsoft .Net Framework to run on Linux and other systems.

Their aim is to enable the Linux users to get access to Silverlight content. Developers could use a text editor or the Windows based tool.

de Icaza added: “What we’re interested in doing is ensuring that the Linux desktop continues to be able to consume content posted on the Web. We have to develop the plug-in for the browser. We have to develop the graphics engine.”

The software giant has made available the specifications for the Silverlight programming interface so it should not be very tough for the people behind the Mono Project to start working on a Linux version.