Here’s some data points on .net framework deployment. (and this is a few months old too)
Distribution and Deployment Data for .NET
· More than 120M copies of the .NET Framework have been downloaded and installed using either Microsoft downloads or Windows Update
· Every copy of Windows Server 2003 has the .NET Framework v1.1 installed on it.
· More than 85% of new consumer PCs sold in 2004 had the .NET Framework installed
· More than 58% of business PCs have the .NET Framework preinstalled or preloaded
· Every new H-P consumer imaging device (printer/scanner/camera) will install the .NET Framework if it’s not already there – that’s 3M units per year
The argument that the framework isn’t installed on pcs is getting pretty weak.
.net development platform is great for shareware. Some current examples
* Google Deskbar -- create .NET plugins for the Google Deskbar app
* Grouper -- share music with friends; there's even a case study
* FedEx/Kinko's "File, Print FedEx Kinko's" lets you print to a Kinko's from your PC over the Internet
* Sandlot's Super Slyder -- addictive little game (requires managed DirectX)
* NASA's World Wind.
* RSS Bandit – a must download.