no more VB runtime required?

So does .NET mean I no longer have to worry about the end user having a VB runtime if my app is built with VB.NET?

Nope, no more runtimes, just 20MB's of framework instead.

What do you mean by the 20MB's of framework? Wouldn't all of that already be installed on the end-user's machine? Or is it the same as the VB run-time in that you can't assume the end-user has it installed?

If it's the later, that is rediculous. I thought the 1MB or so VB run time was a drag.. Now we have to include 20MBs? Is that the same for C++.NET? The old C++ didn't require any dependencies..

For any .NET application, service, web form, etc, you need the .NET framework. I dont think its incuded with any OS yet, but i think its included in the OS in the upcoming .NET OS. So in order to make your applications work on a machine w/out .NET you'll need the .NET framework, and its about 20 MB's.
Here is the link to all that mess....

I think MS will include .NET Framework with all upcoming SPs.

Windows.NET Server Beta 2 does include the .NET Framework.

I don't think MS plans to make any new service packs for anything lower than XP?:(

And the .Net framework will probably have a SP or two for itself...

I thought the .NET stuff was going to allow us to write programs such that all the user needed was a web browser. If we write programs that reside on the LAN/WAN and the user is accessing it via thier browser, do they still need the .NET Framework?

well you can do that too but thats not all you can do with .NET.

You can create a website application using ASP .NET. It works generally the same way as ASP did but with mor epower behind the scenes. The client does not have to have the framework for this, just the server.
You cn also create standalone client apps, but the computer it runs on has to have the framework installed.

And, I would relax and wait for Microsoft to flex its muscle...

This is their big push for internet dominance. I don't think that they are going to sit back and wait for users to initiate the download of the framework. Have you ever got an AOL CD in the mail? I would not be surprised if MS, maybe along with the Hailstorm thing, pumps the Framework into every household with a PC. Trust me. I think this is going to be scary how fast this framework gets distributed :eek: :eek:

So long Java...:( :( (alligator tears)

Probably wont happen. With the court battle ever ongoing, the opposition wont rest until they have a agreement that severly spanks MS and forces them to change their policies

If its web apps you want, then you dont need anything on the client side, but the server needs to have the framework and all the other things you may need for a server. But its gonna tax the system if there is alot of activity on the server utilizint asp.net or web forms.