VS 2003 and upcoming .NET Framework 2.0

I'm installing Visual Studio 2003 for the first time, and while I'm impressed by the look and feel, this is probably the longest installation I have ever endured.

Coming from the Java world, I guess I have been blissfully immune to Microsoft developer tools for many years. Sure, Microsoft are widely acknowledged for producing slick developer tools, but I am not sure they have concentrated sufficient investment in their installer process - my experiences with the Visual Studio Beta 2005 software gives me some cause for hope. My machine has been at this for well over and hour and I suspect there are a raft of security and critical fix updates that I will have to run afterwards (sigh!).

Speaking of Microsoft Developer tools, I am finding myself using .NET technologies more frequently recently; partly in preparation for the .NET 2.0 Framework lauch which is only a few weeks away and partly as I am broadening my reach of technologies outside an exclusive Java view of the software world. In times past, I would imagine Microsoft would have devoted significant marketing dollars to engaging the Java community and producing Java (and Java EE) to .NET conversion classes, online seminars and the like. I have not found much in the way over material on this. Perhaps this is due to some degree to the Sun-Microsoft detente; however if my previous life at Sun tells me anything, I am sure everyone back at Java Software are gearing up for .NET 2.0 as much as anyone else.

Otherwise, if you know any Java to .NET conversion resources, comment below or drop me a line.