ThumNet

This post is about the session called What’s new in Silverlight 3 given by Mike Taulty

In Silverlight 3 it is now possible to run the application as a standalone desktop application. To enable this functionality this must be enabled in the AppManifest.xml file of the application.

<Deployment xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/client/2007/deployment"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
EntryPointAssembly="TaskList"
EntryPointType="TaskList.App">
<Deployment.Parts>
</Deployment.Parts>
<Deployment.ApplicationIdentity>
<ApplicationIdentity
ShortName="Task List"
Title="Offline Task List">
<ApplicationIdentity.Blurb>
Allows saving your tasks offline
</ApplicationIdentity.Blurb>
</ApplicationIdentity>
</Deployment.ApplicationIdentity>
</Deployment>

The user can now choose to install the application to the computer, on right mouse click the menu below is shown.

Next the user can choose where the shortcuts to the application will be placed.

The application can now be run from out of the browser but still in the same secure sandbox. The application is automatically updated whenever a new version of the application is available from the website.

After the application is installed it’s very easy for the user to remove the application from the computer. When running the application under the right mouse menu the option to install the application is now replaced by the option to remove the application.

Because it’s now possible to run Silverlight applications from the desktop it’s now also become possible to run a Silverlight application without having a internet connection.

A nifty feature is now introduced to Silverlight 3 to adapt to this situation. It’s is now possible to detect whether an internet connection is available or not.

Through the method NetworkInterface.GetIsNetworkAvailable() it’s possible to see if an internet connection is available. Through the NetworkChange.NetworkAddressChanged event network changes can be detected when a user connect or disconnect from the internet.