VB would have died immediately, as it should have, if MS didn't bring it along on the .NET ride. I've spent thousands of hours maintaining code I knew (with 100% accuracy) would be dead in less than 5 years, simply because it was VB, because of MS' choice. Anyone that chose to be an eternal beginner didn't deserve to keep being a professional developer, but MS handed them that opportunity for a few years. I'm glad it's over.