Reply to: Well, I've finally done it!!!

[DaveB]

Exactly, every man and his pet sheep are getting into .NET!

Baaa!

[Joe Black]

I've looked for a SAP for Dummies and a Teach Yourself SAP in 21 Days book, but an struggling to find one.

Indeed SAP is a better bet

Exactly, every man and his pet sheep are getting into .NET!

I'm sure it's not too difficult to get hold of the required info, and then just be a bit creative with your CV. SAP, ASP, how difficult a search and replace job is that. Bet you could even convince some people they're one and the same thing...just ask Milan...

Oh and SAP also has such a nice IDE...

[ASB]

Why all the argument re VB/C# ?

Given they both produce CLR code, and as far as I know either syntax can be written to produce exactly the same CLR code surely a large part of the argument is just intellectual wanking, I mean healthy debate. Sure C# will suit some, VB others ?

Personally I'm writing new stuff in C#, and it feels more natural for that. But a lot of the stuff I'm moving forward is cobol and VB6, so there's a much easier route with the .net variants.

[DimPrawn]

I've looked for a SAP for Dummies and a Teach Yourself SAP in 21 Days book, but an struggling to find one.

Indeed SAP is a better bet, but one that has a very high barrier to entry.

.NET is kerrr ching for the masses.

[Joe Black]

Please don't tell me you are using VB.NET......

C# is the future of .NET

Come on DP, what point is there discussing whether this or that .NET thingymajig is better than the other when it's all a dead end anyway.

SAP is about the only market which is really growing and brings in a decent amount of readies, and will continue that way for the foreseeable future.

.NET, a mugs game if you ask me!

[DaveB]

loadsa work in security and I don't feel the need to have a fallback (not in IT anyway).

If you're worried about what will happen in 6 months then maybe contracting isn't for you. It doesn't suit everybody.

The nerves are just because it's my first go at contracting and once I get into it I'm sure I'll be fine. I've always been of the belt and braces persuasion though, hence the contingency plans.

[ratewhore]

loadsa work in security and I don't feel the need to have a fallback (not in IT anyway).

If you're worried about what will happen in 6 months then maybe contracting isn't for you. It doesn't suit everybody.

[DaveB]

Don't think you need to worry on that score. Security will be bouyant for a long time yet...

Well thats what I'm hoping, but this is my first contract and while the concept of a new job doesnt bother me - been doing it every 2-3 years since I started in IT - it's what might happen in 6 months time that worries me

All being well I get an extension or a new gig fairly quickly, but it cant hurt to have a fall back position.

[ratewhore]

TBH I'm looking for a plan B to fall back on if the Security / Audit / Risk Management route doesnt work out.

Don't think you need to worry on that score. Security will be bouyant for a long time yet...

[DimPrawn]

Beginners
All purpose
Symbolic
Instruction
Code

I should feckin' cocoa!!!

Nope, C++ at the moment, will have a look at C#, see if there are any advantages with regards to my usual development projects.

Any pointers?
(and no, I didn't mean that as a joke)

have a look at C# 2.0 (current version)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/default.aspx

and C# 3.0

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/future/default.aspx

Some super features to come. DLing, XLing, LINQ

[DaveB]

Download the Express Editions - they are free for at least the next year.

Dowloading as we speak... err, type. Any suggestions on a good idiots guide to .NET to get me started, useful websites etc that are worth looking at?

Look out gravy, here I come!

[TGAOTU]

Download the Express Editions - they are free for at least the next year.

or grab the torrent for the pro edition... Like someone I know did, not me of course, it was a <ahem> friend...

[zathras]

Ok, I'm not a programmer/developer. I've done a bit of mucking about with code and such ( mostly C++ ) but nothing I ever got paid for, or was meant to get paid for

How do I hitch a ride on the gravy train that is obviously .NET?

I'm not looking to get straight into contracts with it but pointers on picking up the relevent skills would be nice

TBH I'm looking for a plan B to fall back on if the Security / Audit / Risk Management route doesnt work out.

Download the Express Editions - they are free for at least the next year.

[TGAOTU]

Please don't tell me you are using VB.NET......

C# is the future of .NET

Beginners
All purpose
Symbolic
Instruction
Code

I should feckin' cocoa!!!

Nope, C++ at the moment, will have a look at C#, see if there are any advantages with regards to my usual development projects.

Any pointers?
(and no, I didn't mean that as a joke)

[DimPrawn]

How do I hitch a ride on the gravy train that is obviously .NET?

Ask Milan.

Toot-toot!