Microsoft does spring new surprises now and then, for instance, it has launched the Silverlight 4 Beta client for Facebook. This opens a world of opportunity for developers to develop rich internet apps and high quality media that is visually stunning and more functional for the users. Silverlight Facebook client will enable snazzy Facebook interfaces that will hold users interest for a longer time than the default and rather boring white and blue Facebook interface. So there’s something for everyone in this Facebook client.
Silverlight 4 Client for Facebook Requirements:
To install Silverlight4 Client for Facebook you require a working internet connection, web browser, Windows or Mac OS and you will need to first download and install Microsoft Silverlight 4 beta, which is a small 7.6 MB download on Windows or Mac.
This step-by-step instruction guide will facilitate you to install Silverlight 4 Client for Facebook in a matter of few clicks.
Before you can install the Silverlight 4 Client for Facebook, you will need to install Silverlight 4 beta.
Silverlight 4 beta Installation:
Silverlight 4 Beta client for Facebook
To begin the Microsoft Silverlight 4 installation, click on the Install now button.
Silverlight 4 Beta client for Facebook Installer
The Silverlight update dialog box appears. If you want Silverlight to be updated automatically, let the Enable Microsoft Update check box remain selected and click Next.
Silverlight 4 Beta client for Facebook Installer continued
Once installation is complete press F 5 to refresh your browser Web page and continue to the next step.
Accept license terms and install
After you refresh the Web page, the Microsoft Silverlight 4 Beta Client for Facebook installation will start. Click to accept the license terms and begin the installation.
A security warning dialog box appears. Select the locations for placing the Silverlight Client shortcuts and click Install.
A security warning dialog box appears. Select the locations for placing the Silverlight Client shortcuts and click Install.
The installation successful screen appears. You can now use Silverlight 4 Beta Client for Facebook.
The installation successful screen appears. You can now use Silverlight 4 Beta Client for Facebook.
On clicking the Silverlight Client for Facebook icon, the Facebook integration page appears.
On clicking the Silverlight Client for Facebook icon, the Facebook integration page appears. Now you just have to Sign up or Log in to your Facebook account and get started with the Silverlight 4 Beta Client!
Quick Review of Capabilities:
Once you log into your Facebook account your profile will seem unrecognizable, so complete is the transformation with the Silverlight 4 Client.
Once you log into your Facebook account your profile will seem unrecognizable, so complete is the transformation with the Silverlight 4 Client. The default interface switches from the staid white and blue to peppy shades of black with brightly illuminated icons in white and blue. All this make for a visually stunning experience.
The live feed or the news feed is at the top, just like in Facebook default and you can switch between different views: full feed—the default mode, grid and photos feed.
The Silverlight client seamlessly merges your inbox, photos, status and event updates, links, and videos on the same page.
Photos Feed View
The Silverlight client seamlessly merges your inbox, photos, status and event updates, links, and videos on the same page so you can browse Facebook without visiting the site itself, although, you will have to do so if you want to use any Facebook apps.
Impressions:
The Silverlight4 Facebook Client combines an attractive interface, feeds and photo updates seamlessly, which is its USP. In the previous beta version you couldn’t use the mouse wheel to scroll through the page, but now you can. So the client is improving all the time. Although it doesn’t present any new features nor does it dispense with the need for visiting Facebook—you still need to visit the site to access many web apps—but it combines the already existing features to present them in a more useful manner. For instance, all your friends’ links are presented on one page and the videos on the links page play more smoothly than on the default Facebook player.
Another useful feature is the people tab. Once you click on it all your contacts are listed alphabetically and their photo updates appear on the right side, and the status updates at the centre. So you need not visit different pages, rather you can view the status and photo updates on a single screen, which is a very useful feature.
Another useful feature is the people tab.
Obviously, Facebook lacks this functionality.
Even the inbox has an uncluttered look and reading and replying to messages is pretty straightforward. By clicking on the Photos tab you can view your and your friends’ recent photo albums on the same page, thus doing away with the need to visit each friend’s individual profile.
By clicking on the Photos tab you can view your and your friends’ recent photo albums on the same page, thus doing away with the need to visit each friend’s individual profile.
But on the flip side, the Silverlight4 Facebook client does not support third-party apps as of now, so you are left with no choice but to visit Facebook if you want to access your favorite apps.
In spite of these minor aberrations, the Silverlight4 Client for Facebook presents a Spartan interface with many useful capabilities to enhance your Facebook experience and if you consider that this is the beta release, then things are surely bound to improve in the final release and with it your Facebook experience as well!
