What are you doing about the .net framework???

Hello all,

I just won the MSDN Universal subscription, so now I have .Net available to me. I want to start programming apps on it right away, but I am thinking there is a little problem. The Framework.

How are you developers dealing with the fact that NO ONE has this framework installed on their computers? Are you including it with your software? If so, don't your users get mad at having to download such a big file? Are you linking to the MS site to get it?

How are you planning on doing this conversion to .Net gracefully and not pissing off your customers?

Just for the record, I am talking about commercial apps, not in-house apps.

i just put the message on my website that they have to download it, not only for my apps but also for other people's devs. I compare it to DirectX, u don't wanna DL it but u have to.

Ya, I was thinking of something similar.

Anyone think there is a chance that Microsoft will distribute it out on CD's for free? I figure if AOL can throw out that many CD's, Microsoft can also, especially if they are real serious about it. Heck, they could even put the MSN software on em just so there is a chance they could make money of the CD's. If they put these CD's in the mail, stores, etc... The framework would get out there much sooner.

Also, whats the deal with it not being on the Windows Update site? That is the FIRST place they should put it.

With them launching .NET to us developers, they are saying the Framework is done.... So they should be getting it out to windows users for us.... They say they are thinking about us (developers) with this release, and they really want it to work, but they want us to distribute the framework.... sorry, getting a little frustrated with them....lol

I've heard that they will be shipping the framework with new prints of XP, and including it with service packs for Win2k. But that's still leaving out alot of people. I've just been including the Framework with my apps' download / installation disk. I know it's not going over well with anyone still using dial-up. We've had a slew of emails / customer service calls from people complaining. The good thing is it only has to be installed once. After that any app which uses the framework will run. Just like the VB6 runtime.

Along these same lines.

I am about to start a rather large project, I of couse really want to do it in VB.NET but I am yet to use it.

How steep is the learning curve... should I jump right in with a large project or wait on this one until I have a few smaller projects under my belt.

- kurt