Start Page

The Start Page is what you will see first when you open Visual Studio .NET (unless you configure it otherwise). A typical Start Page is shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1. Visual Studio .NET Start Page

Along the top of the application window is a typical set of menus and buttons. These menus and buttons are context sensitive and will change as the current window changes.

You will see three tabs: Projects, Online Resources, and My Profile. The Projects tab shows the list of existing projects and lets you open a new project. The Online Resources shows a series of links that include:

Get Started

The default selection, provides a means of finding sample code.

What's New

Links to new developments in the .NET world, training and events, and tips.

Online Community

More links to the .NET community, including web sites, newsgroups, tech support resources, code examples, and component sources.

Headlines

Links to news stories about .NET and specific topics such as XML web services.

Search Online

A form for searching the MSDN online library.

Downloads

Links to free and subscriber downloads, including sample applications.

XML Web Services

Forms to search for or register web services.

Web Hosting

Links to hosting providers.

The My Profile tab allows configuration of high-level Visual Studio .NET settings.