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>I must admit to knowing next to nothing of .NET. You? Gaining experience on the job or you already up there?
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>What's teh best way to get a toe-hold without there being a requirement to get your teeth in?
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>Any input from anyone welcome here or I won't even have a 'puter to post from soon (Did I hear a big HURRAH!?)

I started with books and search the net a few years ago. With lots of frustration I came to grips with developing C# apps for .Net Compact Framework (handheld platforms).

ASP.NET was completely different. I couldn't even come up with intelligent questions to ask when I was lost because I was so hopelessly lost. To get my head around ASP.NET I gave up on books and went out and took a week long instructor-led course last year. For me, that is what got me over the (what I consider) incredible learning curve between VFP and ASP.NET.

I still consider myself an amatuer with ASP.NET, but I have several projects under my belt now and I can make a living at it. Give me another 20 years and I'll probably feel as skilled as I feel with VFP now. Of course, give me another 20 years and I'll be just amazed to be still above ground (I turned 50 last week).. :(