SNIP
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>>You claim that there is .NET expertise out there today. Truly, I have a real problem seeing how that could be! I'll grant you that there are many out there who know how to get around in .NET and can deliver specific things in .NET. I don't, though, qualify those capabilities as "expertise".
>>Much has been written about the paucity of .NET documentation and the quality/accuracy of what documentation there is. Given this situation, how can anyone be accredited with the capability to well and properly exploit the .NET framework???
>>This thing is so big and it is still growing and this is touted as a major reason for the state of documentation on the subject. Under these circumstances how can anyone possibly have what it takes to properly exploit .NET???
>>I see anyone delivering .NET today as delivering, at best, a Wright Flyer while the marketing suggests that .NET can deliver a Concorde/747 class of plane.
>>It may happen one day, but first .NET will have to stabilize, then it will have to be documented, then best-practises will have to be discovered and documented. Then, and only then, can .NET have any chance at all of delivering on its promise.
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>I think you discount a lot of the work many have undertaken to learn .NET. From my perspective, I would consider myself an expert VB 6 developer. Today, I know for a fact that I could deliver the same types of apps in VB .NET. I know this from the work I have already done. Significant work can be undertaken without delivering apps per se. Would I be fully optimize the .NET environment now? Probably not since I learn quite a bit as each day goes by. But then again, there is not a body of evidence to support the premise that I am not optimizing the environment.
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>I think you and others here will be surprised just how much work is being done with the product. I have first hand knowledge of at least one company who has devoted millions already and is quite happy with the results...

I don't doubt that there is lots of work on-going with .NET, involving lots of people who are "experts" at some other development environment. I don't doubt, either, that they are delivering interesting applications.
But even today Mr. Gates has spoken about phase 2 of the .NET initiative, even as phase 1 has yet to stabilize and be accurately/adequately documented. How in heaven's name can there be legitimate "expertise" in .NET at this time? I can see "capability" and basic competence but "expertise" really is a stretch.
In another thread where someone asked for the 'best practise' for some .NET nit you answered (correctly, in my humble opinion) that it seemed premature to you to have any "best practise" known for .NET given its breadth and newness. It is clear in my mind that one cannot have "expertise" for something where best practises remain undetermined. Wouldn't you agree?

cheers