Where to go next with training

Question

About 10 years ago I had a good, on track career in IT programming C++/VB and SQL Server, however made several bad carrer desisions and ended up going backwards, developing in MS Access and a little VB. About a year ago I got lucky and managed to move to a company doing .NET development. I am really enjoying it, got a fairly good grasp of the basics in VB.NET / ASP.NET.

However most of the project that I am involved with are small one offs for clients, as I'm the only one who knows about some of the interfaces. As such, I've been kept back from working on larger projects because I am needed 'where I am.' I made a point of reading a little about .NET every night and doing some 'small projects' but my learning is starting to waiver, and I'm sure there is lots more to learn ..........

Does anybody have any good pointers about directions to take, books to read, groups (in the uk) to get involved with?

Answer 1

LessThanDot has a lot of articles and things posted on it, along with a lot of bright .net developers that can answer questions.

Answer 2

kept back from working on larger projects because I am needed 'where I am'

find a new job, you'll learn a million new things on the job!

Answer 3

Essential C# 3.0 For .NET Framework 3.5 by Mark Michaelis.

It is in C# as opposed to VB.NET, but if you are serious about going deep into .NET you should know both C# and VB.NET.

Mark does a good job at going deep and giving good background for the less experienced.

Answer 4

Find an open source project which is in an area you're interested in that you can study and to which you can contribute. I'd start by cruising codeplex to check for candidates.

Answer 5

First, get involved with your local .NET user group. You can find them either at www.ineta.org or at codezone.com . Secondly, check out the online videos about technologies/techiques at either msdn.microsoft.com or www.asp.net. Third, follow the blogs of some of the popular .NET Developers (Scott Gutherie, Shawn Hanselman, etc). Also, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with open source projects ( codeplex.com is one). Finally, same goes for books. I can't really recommend any particular books, it really depends on what specific .NET technology you're looking form more information in.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Getting into .Net suggestions...

Env.

• Get a laptop - check
• Get a copy of Visual Studio - check
• Get a copy of Sql Server Express - check
• Get all the tools you will need to be productive and have fun here. - check
• Download a bunch of sample apps and have fun playing around with them

Community

• Find your local user group
• Attend a conference
• Read and participate in forums
• Check out codeplex
• Check out channel9

Readings

• Hanselman's Blog
• Gu's Blog
• Hack's Blog
• Jeff's Blog
• Joel's Blog
• Gang of Four
• SOLID principals ( a must read )
• Linq in Action ( my favorite )
• Framework Design Guidelines ( another favorite )
• And be sure to watch this!

And this is all just a very small start...have fun man!