>I'm sure there is already a thread or site with this info, but is .net the only alternative ?
>I'd be reaaly interested in ALL alternatives and pros and cons of each .
>
>Regards,
>Gerard

I would investigate a language that has support for lots of different platforms, and OOP support.

Some options seem to include (but I don't know any of these languages well):

Java

Python

PHP

Perl

I don't know how well .NET runs on different (i.e., non-Windows) platforms.

Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)