Microsoft: What is .NET?
Microsoft® .NET is a set of Microsoft software technologies for connecting your world of information, people, systems, and devices. It enables an unprecedented level of software integration through the use of XML Web services: small, discrete, building-block applications that connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications—via the Internet. .NET-connected software delivers what developers need to create XML Web services and stitch them together. The benefit to individuals is seamless, compelling experiences with information sharing.

MSDN .NET Development
Microsoft .NET is an XML Web services platform that will enable developers to create programs that transcend device boundaries and fully harness the connectivity of the Internet. The .NET platform, the Microsoft .NET Framework, and Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET provide exciting new paradigms for building smart client applications that span the Web through XML Web services.   This is where it all begins!

MSDN .NET Architecture Center
The .NET Architecture Center is a new site devoted to business, software, and infrastructure architects. The Center is a collaborative effort involving Microsoft product teams, MSDN, TechNet, and Microsoft's new Architecture Review Board, and it spans the boundaries of MSDN, TechNet, and other sources to serve multiple perspectives, or views, of enterprise architecture.

MSDN Web Services Development Center
A new site dedicated to publishing clear, concise, developer-focused information about Web services. The two motivations for this new site are (1) to provide clear, concise, developer-focused information on Web services and, (2) to experiment with more flexible ways to organize and present information from the MSDN Library and other Web sites.

Developer Resources
The premier online technical information source for IT professionals developing corporate applications. With the combined strength of over 15 development channels, DevX is the independent site professional developers rely on for timely information about development tools; architecting large-scale, enterprise-level applications; and tips, techniques, and code they can use.

.NET News
.netWire is a premier source for Microsoft .NET news. Their site is updated daily, and for busy people they have updates in a weekly newsletter.

Code Sharing
The .NET Code Wise Community site is your resource for third-party tips, code samples, advice, and news from .NET experts.   .NET Code Wise Community members provide developers with resources and opportunities to share their opinions and learn from one another. These independent members have real-world experience with.NET and share their .NET expertise with the developer community.

.NET Framework SP2
Download the Microsoft .NET Framework Service Pack 2 (SP2) to get the latest updates to the .NET Framework.   SP2 is a cumulative service pack and includes all the updates from SP1.   The best way to determine if you have the .NET Framework SP2 installed is to read the KB article Determining Whether Service Packs Are Installed on .NET Framework.

Upgrading Visual Basic 6.0 Applications to Visual Basic.NET
Microsoft Visual Basic® .NET is the next version of the Microsoft Visual Basic development system, reengineered to be the premier tool for quickly developing Microsoft Windows®–based applications, as well as the next generation of XML Web services and applications. Rather than simply adding some new features to Visual Basic 6.0, Microsoft has built Visual Basic .NET from the ground up on the .NET Framework. This enables Visual Basic developers to take advantage of the enhancements in Visual Basic .NET to build enterprise-critical distributed n-tier systems.

Web Services Security
Learn how access to Web Services can be restricted to authorized clients in much the same way that Web sites restrict access to authorized users. In addition to restricting access, a Web Service may need to ensure the privacy of data transmitted to and from clients, as well as protect internal business logic and data stores used to implement the service.
(November 12, Web Services)

Managed Extensions for C++
Discover how Managed Extensions for C++ allow developers to target the .NET Framework and provide an efficient way for .NET programs to use native COM and C++ components. Managed Extensions for C++ offer unparalleled flexibility to developers targeting the .NET Framework and runtime.
(October 16, Language Enhancements)