Rating: 
Summary: Kit does NOT contain the full version of VB.NET 2003!!!!
Review: The book that comes with the kit is very good for those of us who are new to object oriented programming (I am from the old Cobol generation). On the other hand this book is very basic for an experienced object oriented programmer.... so it is very good value for money. However I am giving the kit a rating of 1 star because the kit is NOT complete. Microsoft claimed that the kit came with a FULL version of the "Microsoft Visual Basic.Net 2003 Standard software". However the MSDN library was NOT included in the sealed package that I received.Without the MSDN disk the software Help features will not work. The Help files for the program are part of MSDN, therefore without the MSDN disk ALL of the softwares help features DO NOT WORKThe book refers to the MSDN library on page 27; implying that the MSDN disk comes with the kit, and that one should install it in order to get help to run. However NO MSDN disk was found in my package I have contacted Microsoft and so far they have been unable to tell me whether it was a error that I didn't get the disk, or whether the kit doesn't come with the MSDN disk. The set-up program asks for the disk on step 3; but none of the disks provided has the MSDN library. Hence without the MSDN library, you won't be able to get ANY help from within the program. If Microsoft solves the problem about the missing MSDN disk I recommend this pacakge to everybody who is interseted in learning the program; but until this problem is solved I recommend people to wait or to buy the program and the book separately so that they get a fully working version of the software. If Microsoft solves the problem of the missing MSDN disk on this kit, I would raise my rating to 5 stars. Until then I recommend you to NOT purchase the kit. If you can't wait to get your hands on VB.NET 2003 buy the software and the book separately so that you get the full version of the software including the help files.
Rating:
Summary: Kit does NOT contain the full version of VB.NET 2003!!!!
Review: The book that comes with the kit is very good for those of us who are new to object oriented programming (I am from the old Cobol generation). On the other hand this book is very basic for an experienced object oriented programmer.... so it is very good value for money. However I am giving the kit a rating of 1 star because the kit is NOT complete. Microsoft claimed that the kit came with a FULL version of the "Microsoft Visual Basic.Net 2003 Standard software". However the MSDN library was NOT included in the sealed package that I received. Without the MSDN disk the software Help features will not work. The Help files for the program are part of MSDN, therefore without the MSDN disk ALL of the softwares help features DO NOT WORKThe book refers to the MSDN library on page 27; implying that the MSDN disk comes with the kit, and that one should install it in order to get help to run. However NO MSDN disk was found in my package I have contacted Microsoft and so far they have been unable to tell me whether it was a error that I didn't get the disk, or whether the kit doesn't come with the MSDN disk. The set-up program asks for the disk on step 3; but none of the disks provided has the MSDN library. Hence without the MSDN library, you won't be able to get ANY help from within the program. If Microsoft solves the problem about the missing MSDN disk I recommend this pacakge to everybody who is interseted in learning the program; but until this problem is solved I recommend people to wait or to buy the program and the book separately so that they get a fully working version of the software. If Microsoft solves the problem of the missing MSDN disk on this kit, I would raise my rating to 5 stars. Until then I recommend you to NOT purchase the kit. If you can't wait to get your hands on VB.NET 2003 buy the software and the book separately so that you get the full version of the software including the help files.
Rating: 
Summary: Book OK, but no product key!
Review: The book that comes with this package is MS Visual Basic.Net Step by Step. Despite the author's claim that the book appeals to beginners and experienced programmers alike, it is more of a beginner's book. Nonetheless it provides a structured introduction to to VB.NET and that appealed to me because my work in VB to date has always been driven by a deadline, and I have used techniques that perhaps aren't optimal but nonetheless work. However, I cannot find a Product Key in the package! I opened another of this product in a bookshop and could find no product key in that either. So I can't tell you anything about the software, but if anybody can send me a product key for this product (enquiries are being made at Microsoft but God knows how long that's going to take) I would be very grateful.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good book for all programmers
Review: This book was very helpful to me and would be to anyone who knows a little about visual basic.
Rating: 
Summary: Good value for money
Review: This package contains the step-by step book and the VB.NET Standard software. ..Why anyone would buy that and not this package is beyond me! ...For me, the only real downside is that you cannot create your own class libraries. However, I have heard (and read) rumors on the web that there's a 'workaround' for this omission. Other than that, this package will get you started with VB.NET just fine, and at least for the first few months, you will not miss the functionality that is available in the full version.
Rating:
Summary: No .NET
Review: This package is nonsense. I also did not receive any .NET software, I thought that buying it in the store shrinkwrapped would solve this problem; I was however, sadly mistaken. I did receive 3 cd's with the MSDN junk, but no .NET standard software, causing extreme exasperation. Do not buy this weak package if you want anything useful. If you enjoy tossing money then by all means....
Rating:
Summary: Batteries Not Included
Review: This package should have a big warning on the cover, similar to the "batteries not included" warnings on children's toys. The glaring omission from VB.NET Learning Edition is the Help system. There is none. The install routine prompts you to insert MSDN CD 1. But it ain't there. You are apparently expected to buy it separately, though this is not mentioned anywhere on the cover. The intricacies of VB.NET are not obvious, even if you're an experienced VB6 developer. Many of the most basic things you are used to do not work. If you need help you can try your luck searching on the MSDN website, but the easy interaction you need and expect from a help system is simply not there. The book that comes with the package may well be a useful learning tool. It is pitched at beginning programmers as it should be, and as the name implies it takes you step by step through various projects. But unfortunately the minute you step outside the book you are left alone and help-less. The package as it stands is not up to the task it sets itself, and it should be recalled and amended immediately.
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