text: what is microsoft's ".net"?   the .net framework created by microsoft is a software development platform focused on rapid application development, platform independence and network transparency. .net is microsoft's strategic initiative for server and desktop development for the next decade. according to microsoft, .net includes many technologies that are designed to facilitate rapid development of internet and intranet applications.  (basically it's like an online platform (hence the .net passport). think of it as the equivalent of sun's java.)