原文：http://odetocode.com/Blogs/scott/archive/2005/03/20/1108.aspx
Given that .NET 1.x is entering legacy status before the end of the year, I thought it might be fun to explore the best and worst of what .NET developers have lived through for the past 5 years.
First: the best.
1) Metadata
Metadata is the lifeblood of the common language runtime. Just think of the number of features made possible (or made better) by the presence of metadata: garbage collection, form designers, code access security, and verification to name a few. The fact that metadata is extensible through custom attributes opens up a world of possibilities. Sure, we might have gotten tools like NUnit and Reflector without metadata, but they might have really sucked.
2) Visual Studio
The multilingual IDE does web, windows, and mobile development, too. If you face being stranded on a desert island with a Windows machine, AC power, and broadband access, but can install only one piece of software on top - take Visual Studio. Given enough time, you can write the rest. (What piece of software would you write first?).
Again, extensibility plays a huge rule in the success of Visual Studio. If you haven’t worked with one of the many great VS.NET ad-ins in Scott Hanselman's Ultimate List, you just haven’t lived.
3) Community
When people like Chris Brumme spend their time waiting at the dentist writing deep technical blog posts like “TransparentProxy”, then you know times are changing. When I'm at the dentist I usually hide behind large, potted vegetation reading National Geographic, pretending I’m somewhere else, and hoping they forget I’m there, but everyone handles thier phobias differently.
Besides blogs, we have an explosion of webcasts, chats, user groups, code camps, and geek dinners. There is no time to shower or pay bills - submerse yourself now in the world that Scoble built.
4).NET Class Libraries
Every non-trivial framework has the occasional bump in the road, but let’s not talk about the System.DirectoryServices namespace while we are in a good mood, ok? The usability, intuitiveness, and discoverability of the libraries have played a large role in the adoption of .NET and the productivity of .NET programmers.
5) The Common Type System (CTS)
The CTS lays the foundation for not only C#, C++, and Visual Basic to work together, but a slew of other languages (see former Bon Jovi look-alike Jason Bock’s .NET languages list). No small feat, the CTS. It’s a rewarding experience being able to jump into a new language with foreign syntax but still have some bearing as to what is happening underneath.
Next up: the worst. Don't miss this one.
What would you include in the “best of” list?