The worst code I have seen lately was a .net application that had been updated from through the .net versions .net 1.1 to .net 4 using the vs migration update tools but other than sorting out a couple of build errors no changes were made. I was asked to review the code for the company and to add some additional functionality. I was told it would only take a few days. it was terrible created over time by about several consultants hired over the years it had the joy of using 4 of the .net languages (java.net, c#, vb (which is bad enough on its own), and c++) a couple of purchased library for .net 1.1 still being used in .net 4 version, all in a single project no comments never sticking to a single coding style, variable names were just funny words and no unit testing at all. (oh it was also not in version control and was mission critical to the company) Having explained all this o the boss using pretty pictures and fancy words I spent 4 days putting it in to version control and adding in the new functionality to the code that they wanted, and making it live. I then had 10 weeks of fun sorting the whole hornets mess out. The first few weeks converting all the code into just one language c# just to make life easier and adding some basic unit tests. Then started to actually get the code up to scratch and taking advantage of .net 4.0 changes and even the use of masterpages, after about 6 weeks efforts getting the code up to scratch the source code was less than half the size their was unit testing and a heck of alot of major bugs were fixed. Alas after all that effort and actually getting accurate reports about the state of the company from the app they learnt the company was doing crap (were as before due a error were negative were being treated as positive numbers in the finacial system), the company decided ot hire some consultants who advised to move to a purchased system, the company is now bust shame but managements fault.

Good luck

Really it depends what your building as both languages have the streights and there weeknesses, but basically it will always comes down to money. PHP hosting is very cheap compared to asp.net and alot of apps are written in PHP (or peril if the developer cant be bothered using php)and the cost of development is ususally cheaper as php developer get paid less that asp.net ones (well from what i have seen) If there planning to host internally, on a windows machine and sql server express will cover you needs then you should advice them to go that way as dvelopment would be faster and there for cheaper. If not then your stuck wiht good old php and my god have mercy on your soul (if he exsited that is.) Note you can download for free some good php development tools e.g. eclipse php, and php unit test client to make life easier. and you should look to use the wealth of open source apps to help build your site. Good luck

Heres a link to make life easier: http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/[^]

I converted a couple of big applications over at my last job, the code was very poor and had been written in a hurry so to start with I wrote hundreds of unit tests as well as booked time with the testers so that I could be confident that my conversion would be bug free code. I then used sharp develop (company had no money so i forced to use a free tool) to convert the code over, (note I have not used that tool for anything older than .net 1.1). If you dont have unit tests in your code then it is a great excuss to get them in and upgrade to the latest framework. I will be honest I agree with your director though you should be moving away from vb.net as its functionlity wiht in .net is slowly reduced by microsoft. but also because though your current team is vb literate future staff wont be so much as vb is not that popular language by universitys and colleges (well atleast in the uk) using c# will allow you to confidently higher junior develeopers with java or c++ skill who will be able to hit the ground running more on the programming side as they will be use the syntax. But I knwo at this stage probably with 20 million other thing on the go this task is of low priority and is annoying, but you might consider it a good task to get new guys up to speed on your products as they convert it over and if you utilise your source control properly wiht automated testing then anyone can convert a section or write unit tests when they have a free minute. Good luck with it.

Dont take the Chucks name in vain. In the words of the greats space adventure of them all "Dont give me the star trek crap, its to early in the morning", Why cant NASA just wait before more man missions are carried out? when the econmoy has sorted its self out, and perhaps 2 less wars. Well the reason is fairly simple they dont want to see there budject and by extension their prestege being reduced, I for one would like to see all that resources going into developing green technologys (whether you believe in climate change or the oil is running out, energy productionand conservation devices are a good thing).

I gained experience by doing wee jobs for companys using there biding jobs, its not worth it for the money as you have to under bid everyone, but the experince added to the CV is great. Best thing i did was walk in to an office for a contractor's job and spent the whole interview tell them how to set up a automated builds and version control for free, really there are still companys out there that have single developer jobs and dont uses non manual version control etc. Adding something to the company matters more than experience.

I dont think you will find a company that will higher you for a short term contract and aid you with visa especially if they want you to start soon. I would look into getting a job in canada which may be easier and working your way into the states from there, if thats truely where you want to live. How many hours would you be expected to work if for 25 dollars a day? I currently do consultancy on the side and for my daily fee of about £300 i would be expected to do 7.5 hours work. old penguin saying, its the individual thats left out in the cold.