I am an avid fan C and C++ but I don't see why people hate VB so much. I haven't programmed in VB before (but I do know a little of QBasic) but for producing useful non-technical applications VB is more sensible than either C or C++.
One year ago I hated VB too, but after looking at the program made by my Numerical Methods professor, I realized VB wasn't so bad after all. The electrical power company in my area has used VB programs to track down the breakdowns of power transmission lines, and for controlling electrical turbines too. Guess what, those VB programs even made Fortran look puny.