Q:

HTML5 - Can it do this? Today?

In HTML 5 is there any support for things which are really easy to do in Silverlight?
For example, ripping a file (chosen by the user) into an array of bytes that can be base64 encoded and passed up to a web service?
Or, creation/reading of an image and being able to manipulate the pixels and display this on screen? Or even save it to disk (location chosen by the user)?
If so, which browsers would support this and are the APIs consistent?
Thanks

A:

In HTML 5 is there any support for things which are really easy to do in Silverlight?

See this

For example, ripping a file (chosen by the user) into an array of bytes

Yes. See this

that can be base64 encoded 

Google

and passed up to a web service?

XMLHttpRequest still works.

Or, creation/reading of an image and being able to manipulate the pixels and display this on screen? 

Yes. Combine FileReader with canvas.

Or even save it to disk (location chosen by the user)?

Sorry, not possible. No longer the case! See this.

If so, which browsers would support this

I know Firefox does, but try this on other browsers. See what works and what doesn't.

and are the APIs consistent?

Yes. These are called standards for a reason.

