Ok, so you have decided that maybe you would like to take the plunge and start getting into the .NET development environment. Alas, you do not have $2,500 to pony up for the VS.NET Enterprise Architect, maybe you do but I can think of numerous other goodies I'd rather spend that loot on. Now what do you do? I'll tell you what to do. Head on over to http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/ and pick yourself up a FREE copy of open-sourced IDE made specifically for .NET !@!#$%$! That's right folks it is FREE! Don't say Microsoft never gave you anything for free.

Here's something else that will make you grin from ear to ear, it is a 1.2MB download... you can get up off the floor now. This little project is the best thing since Lavern and Shirley re-runs and the only hefty item you need to make sure you have is the .NET framework itself which is also available here (33MB). The IDE is very similar to VS.NET so there is little to no learning curve if you do decide that the new car you were saving up for can wait cause you need VS.NET.

I can't tell you all the great things about this application here you should get it yourself and jump right in.