Hello. Recently in a conversation, someone suggested me to make use of Silverlight if I am targeting a web client and a windows client for the same application. This will cut down my effort for supporting the contrast in both presentation layers.

Mine is a product, that will be deployed in enterprises. Both web and windows clients are desirable.

With the above context, I have few queries:

• Is it advisable to adopt the recommended approach and whether this approach is becoming a trend?
• Besides, some configuration & deployment tweaking, will this significantly reduce effort on the presentation layer?
• Is there a possibility that my future prospects (for this product) will resist Silverlight footprint?
• Will I be able to make use of the ASP.Net MVC pattern?
• Will there be any performance implication for the web client?
• Will Silverlight support incremental load of controls?
• If my back-end includes SSRS, will I be able to harness all its front end features with Silverlight?
• Will I be able to support additional devices with same code base in future?
• Mine is a very data intensive application from both, data entry and reporting perspective. Is it advisable to use 3rd party controls (like Telerik) for improved user experience and developer productivity?
• Are their any professional quality open source Silverlight controls (library) available?

Further, I seek information of best practices in the context I shared above.