Adobe Systems, Inc. has been feeling more and more pressure from Microsoft Corp. since the release of Silverlight in 2007.  For about 80% of internet-connected PCs, adobe flash player in the program installed.  Silverlight has a mere 25% but is steadily climbing.

From the stand point of a web design company, Microsoft has made head way but Abode still has the upper hand having been in the game longer.  “It’s difficult to find designers who know Silverlight.  I can’t imagine a more hostile community [to Microsoft] than designers,” said Scott Stanfield, chief executive of Vertigo Software Inc.

Microsoft and Adobe are doing their fair share of wooing current clients and courting those of their competitors.  Microsoft is gaining with Netflix Inc., CBS Corp.’s college sports group, and General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal coverage of the Beijing Olympics.  As an official sponsor of the Democratic National Convention, Microsoft’s Silverlight technology was used for the website.

Adobe isn’t without it’s victories though; MLB.com LLC switched to Flash from Silverlight and Navtrak Inc. built their fleet-management software using Adobe technology.  Adobe just launched a new project, Open Screen Project, that promises developers the ability to build software once and it will run on PCs, mobile phones and televisions alike.  Adobe is said to be counting in part on loyalty from graphic designers to hold Microsoft at bay.