C++ beeotch! all the way. i started with it, and i will end with it (or a predecessor such as C#.)

also, .net is little more than some extra libraries and garbage like that...not needed, but can be nice...such as winsocks2.

i can remember dabbling in BASIC waaay back when...same with HTML, but those just got me interested. C++ is easy to pick up on for beginners, and is probably the most widely documented language available.

http://www.cplusplus.com/
http://www.cppreference.com/
http://www.cprogramming.com/

For a compiler on win32 systems:
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

Also, the SAM'S books are very very nice. sometimes they go out of order, but you should never rely on only one source anyways. the "C++ For Dummies" is also not bad. "C++ From The Ground Up" is the one I used most.


A_T

P.S. - as an added tidbit, seeing as how Google allows boolean operators in it's search engine (such as the + symbol for AND)...make sure the phrase "C++" IS IN QUOTES for the best results, then you can add any other info afterwards.
So, once again, I say "C++ beeotch!".