and why do i need it/not need it?

and why did i just post this in chit chat?

2/6/2006 4:18:03 PM

Basically, it 'weaves' (most likely) third party programs into MS programs that need the particular MS software as a platform. For example, Paint.NET and Fedex Kinko Online printing software both require that you have MS.net Framework installed in order to implement them.

To answer you question, I will tell you the software golden rule - if you don't know what it is, or how to use it, most likely you don't need it.

2/6/2006 4:21:44 PM

ibtl

2/6/2006 4:26:44 PM

Quote :

"if you don't know what it is, or how to use it, most likely you don't need it."

i would strongly disagree with that. for the non technically inclined, people have no idea what most software is, what it does, and why they do or don't need it.

If you want to be on the safe side, sure, if you don't know what it is, then you might be ok not installing it.

But he is probably asking about the .net framework because he's trying to install something (like the Fedex printing client, like you mentioned) and they give the very helpful tip of "you should install microsoft.net framework first", without telling you what it actually is or how to install it. So in this cause, yes, he probably does need the .net FM. It is a one time install, and it will sit in your background and if a program needs it, it will use it, but otherwise you will never know it's there.

The same is true for Java - most people (hell, even a lot of CSC majors) couldn't tell you what Java actually is, but 90 something % of computers have it installed.

2/6/2006 5:04:51 PM

Quote :

"The same is true for Java - most people (hell, even a lot of CSC majors) couldn't tell you what Java actually is, but 90 something % of computers have it installed. "

I giggled.

2/6/2006 7:51:59 PM