Microsoft announced that the Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC) selected its Silverlight technology to enable the stream of live video of the inauguration to the PIC website on Tuesday January 20th. The video will also be available on-demand on the PIC site.
A blog on PIC site encourages viewers to watch the official swearing in online and explains the use of Silverlight. Events along the pre-inaugural Whistle Stop Tour will also be streamed using Silverlight, according to a Microsoft press release.
Brad Smith, the Microsoft general counsel, an interesting choice of spokesperson for technical news, said that “Microsoft is proud to be part of this event by helping to bring the inauguration activities online. Just as during the campaign itself, Internet technology is enabling people around the world to participate more directly in historic events in new and exciting ways.”
The Microsoft press release notes that this isn't the first time an Obama organization has used Silverlight. The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) selected Silverlight to stream convention proceedings, including President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech.
More on Silverlight:
To listen to a podcast on Silverlight, check out DevConnections2008: Silverlight and SQL Server