Two new kids have moved into the neighborhood and Web designers and developers should take notice. The kids names are JavaFX Script and Silverlight. JavaFX Script has siblings in the JavaFX family and Silverlight is related to the Expression family.
New Kids on the Block
JavaFX Script is a new scripting language based on Java which was created by Sun Microsystems. JavaFX Script enables content rich, highly interactive sites to be built by creative professionals on Java-based devices including computer, television and mobile.
Silverlight is a Microsoft product designed to compete with Adobe Flash. It was engineered using a subset of Microsoft's .NET technology. Silverlight provides support for such technologies as XHTML, JavaScript, Ajax, Apache, PHP, Visual Basic, C#, Python, Ruby and MP3.
Families
JavaFX is a Sun Microsytems family that currently includes the siblings JavaFX Script and JavaFX Mobile. New follow-on content authoring tools are expected to be added to the family in the near future.
Expression is a Microsoft family of tools developed for professional designers who build Web and Windows client applications and rich media content. Expression Studio includes the following family members:
- Expression Web, a design tool used to create standards-based Websites
- Expression Design, a illustration and graphic design tool
- Expression Blend, a user interface design platform for Silverlight
- Expression Media, an asset management tool
JavaFX Script and Silverlight are currently in test release. Microsoft Expression is available for purchase and free trial versions of the entire suite or individual family members can be downloaded for 60 days.
Beantown Web will monitor the demand for Web professionals who have developed expertise in using these new tool sets as these technologies become mainstream.
Digg It! 
Bookmark to del.cio.us