Learning .NET (expensive software)

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kneejerkreaction - 30 Jul 2004 19:17 GMT

I'm seeking advice on learning .NET

I have experience in ASP, HTML, Vb, Vbscript and Javascript but want to learn .NET I also have some experience with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
My employer thinks even with the previous experience noted above, I am incapable of picking up .NET (they are hiring from outside) so I want to learn it independently. I have several books on .NET and XML etc. but am at the point where I need to be able work thru the programming examples in the books. The problem is the software is so expensive. Visual Studio.NET costs over $1000 and I also need to buy a web server and a database such as SQL Server. Does anyone have any tips on how to learn this technology without bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites that I can use as examples for prospective employers.

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Cowboy $Gregory A. Beamer$ [MVP] - 30 Jul 2004 19:29 GMT

Download SharpDevelop from SourceForge.com. You can do a search to find it.
It is not Visual Studio, but it is a good editor to get started with. Then,
download the Framework SDK 1.1 and start developing.

If you want to get ahead of the curve, you can download the new beta Express
products (both SQL Server 2005 Express and web developer, et al) from:
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/

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Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA

************************************************
Think Outside the Box!
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> I'm seeking advice on learning .NET
>
> I have experience in ASP, HTML, Vb, Vbscript and Javascript but want to learn .NET I also have some experience with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
> My employer thinks even with the previous experience noted above, I am incapable of picking up .NET (they are hiring from outside) so I want to

learn it independently. I have several books on .NET and XML etc. but am at
the point where I need to be able work thru the programming examples in the
books. The problem is the software is so expensive. Visual Studio.NET costs
over $1000 and I also need to buy a web server and a database such as SQL
Server. Does anyone have any tips on how to learn this technology without
bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites
that I can use as examples for prospective employers.

Reply to this Message

clintonG - 31 Jul 2004 00:46 GMT

Make sure you scour Microsoft's SQL Server site as last
August Microsoft started selling SQL Server 2000 Developer
Edition for only $49.00. That price may still be available.

Finally, I would sit nice and quiet accepting that employer's
paychecks while I was learning .NET quietly on the side
(meaning never let anybody at work know).

After I was sufficiently convinced of my capabilities I would
walk out on the dummy employer reminding them you
would like to work for somebody who has faith in you.

<%= Clinton Gallagher

"Cowboy (Gregory A. Beamer) [MVP]" <NoSpamMgbworld@comcast.netNoSpamM> wrote

> Download SharpDevelop from SourceForge.com. You can do a search to find it.
> It is not Visual Studio, but it is a good editor to get started with. Then,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites
> that I can use as examples for prospective employers.

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Marina - 30 Jul 2004 19:54 GMT

There is webmatrix, which is a free IDE for web development, I think you can
get it from www.asp.net.

Also, you can get MSDE for free, which is the basic version of SQL Server
with some limitations, but should be good enough for your purpose.

And I think IIS is a free web server.

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Jared - 30 Jul 2004 19:54 GMT

You can by the Standard edition of either vb or c# for around $99.00, MSDE
can be used as your SQL server, and any professional edition of your desktop
OS can host a web server, XP Pro, 2000 Pro. So out of pocket cost $99.00.
This is what I use to "teach myself" .NET.
Jared

> I'm seeking advice on learning .NET
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> without bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully
> functioning websites that I can use as examples for prospective employers.

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Cor Ligthert - 30 Jul 2004 20:14 GMT

Hi,

You can take this to learn,
http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/

You can downsload this beneath which include as well learning stuff and also
VBC.exe what is an Visual basic commandline compiler (There is as well the
same for C# in it)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9B3A2CA6-3647-4070-9F41
-A333C6B9181D&displaylang=en

I hope this helps a little bit?

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Learning .NET (expensive software)

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