>>Yup and most of it worthless crap that doesn't solve real business issues...

That's true..
But the web has a trove of good information about .NET applications at one's fingertips and that is a major asset for .NET.

The only other platform I know is VFP and I'd estimate that the .NET application information on the web is richer than VFP information by orders of magnitudes.

I've yet to search for a solution to a .NET application problem and come away completely empty-handed.
I'm so spoiled now that if I don't come up with a copy and paste answer, I'm disappointed.

I haven't said this in a while, but I should repeat every chance I get how valuable Bonnie Berent's blog about strongly-typed datasets has been.
It's a perfect way to get into the subject.