Prediction
I am making a very big prediction, it is the beginning of the end of Adobe Flash. When I first saw Flash 12 years ago I knew immediately that this was it, it was light years ahead of anything on the web. It is rare that you see something and know immediately that this is going to be big. In the years 1998, 99, 2000 the Flash community was awesome, it was like we were in the wild west just discovering new stuff. I really felt I was in on something and could not believe that other people could not see the same.
The Debate
You may have seen numerous articles on the Flash vs Silverlight debate such as this one. I believe that the articles being written and discussions that are taking place are simply asking the wrong questions.
The discussions should not be between the specific details of Flash and Silverlight. But it should be at a higher level, such as “How long will it take me to become a professional in Silverlight?”, by professional, I mean someone is compensated for their work. Just think of the possibilities that are opened up by learning this product, you basically open yourself up to a whole new industry.
Learning Curve
So if I am right, the million dollar question is – How long is it going to take to learn this new software product?
In my honest opinion if you are a Flash developer as soon as you start the program you will know about 60% of it right out of the box. Simply due to the similarities between Flash and Blend, practically the same tools, timeline, stage, properties, layout code etc. The following videos I have made are about 30 minutes in total length and will get you up to about 80%. Think about that, 80% knowledge of a new product and you have invested less than an hour.
Animation
Introduction to Animation in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Integration with Adobe
Importing graphics from Adobe Illustrator into Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Customizing Cursors
Implementing a custom hit area in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Drawing
Exploring the Gradient tool in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Layout
Exploring the Canvas control in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Video
Creating a Silverlight video player in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Layers
Exploring the Objects panel in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Creating Buttons
Creating a Silverlight button with Microsoft Blend 3
Styles
Creating a Resource Dictionary with Microsoft Blend 3
Hit Area
Implementing a custom hit area in Microsoft Expression Blend 3
Money
When all is said and done, it comes down to money. If a developer is as knowledgeable in Flash and SilverLight, the Silverlight developer will be compensated more, PERIOD. The flash job opportunities mostly come by way of the Advertising field and game development worlds and the projects built are measured in days.
The Silverlight opportunities will come by way of Engineering based companies. Engineering companies mostly work on projects that are measured in years.
The Bottom Line…
For the last 10 plus years when asked what I do, I would proudly say “I am a flash developer that ….
Moving forward my answer will be “I create user experiences and I use products a,b,c.
Try Silverlight for 60 days for free. I feel like it’s 1998 all over again and can’t believe more people aren’t aware of this movement. I am going to do everything I can to push Silverlight in front of everyone whether they are developers, users or clients.
Either way we will be the winners from this, us the developers. Microsoft and Adobe will be forced to improve.
2 Responses to "SilverLight will be the Adobe Flash killer"
Maybe it sounds silly, but is not just about money. Flash is not just a software product, it has become a way of living. We used it to have fun, to create new ways to interact with people to communicate your ideas with the world. I don´t think that Silverlight can replace that.
As you said, the main target for Silverlight development will be mostly big companies with large projects. What happens with all this marketing campaigns, with all this Interactive Advertising that change and evolve every day? What happens with all this projects and ideas that need to come to life so fast? Flash is and will be the answer.
Armando, thanks for your comment. You are absolutely right it is not all about the money. What I was trying to say is that you will see a large portion of the flash community gravitate to Silverlight because of it. Microsoft has created products that require basically no training on the Flash developer to port his skills to their platform.
I agree that Flash allows the ability to communicate one’s ideas, but wouldn’t your ideas be greater if you are exposed to both the creative from Adobe and the technical from Microsoft. You would be exposed to whole new community who approaches development from a totally different perspective?
I have a question, have you downloaded Blend? If not you really should, you will be able to do everything in Blend that you can do in Flash and just as fast.
If you have any questions in getting started, just let me know.
Paul