[1]As per the O'Reilly press release, now you can design rich Internet applications (RIAs) for the Web using Silverlight 2, Microsoft's second release of the Silverlight platform. The biggest change from Silverlight 1.0 is the inclusion of a compact version of the .NET Framework, complete with the .NET Framework 3.0 Common Language Runtime. By adding .NET to Silverlight, Microsoft makes it easy for .NET developers to reuse their existing programming skills collaborate with designers, and quickly create rich applications for the web. Whether Silverlight 2 turns out to be a "Flash killer" remains to be seen, but it certainly provides developers with an attractive alternative.

In Essential Silverlight 2 Up-to-Date [2] (O'Reilly, US $34.99), author Christian Wenz shows you how to take advantage of this new cross-browser plug-in with tools for animation, vector graphics, and video playback, as well as new .NET support for web services, networking, and LINQ (language integrated query). This guide gives you complete step-by-step instructions for using everything Silverlight has to offer, along with:

• Clever ways to create interactive UIs that are more robust and easier to debug and test than what you can achieve on other platforms
• Scores of tested JavaScript and C# code examples that you can reuse in your own applications
• Expert guidance from an author who understands RIA technologies, including ASP.NET, Flash, PHP, and JavaScript

Even better, the new "Up-to-Date" format allows you to stay current with an evolving technology. O'Reilly's "Up-to-Date" books give you instant access to the most reliable and up-to-the moment information when you need it. Simply register online to be notified when updates for your books are available. You can print the updated pages you need for free or buy the pre-printed version. Insert them in the book's unique binder format and have the new details at your fingertips. It combines the speed of technology with convenience of a book.