Can someone just brieifly try to explain to me what Microsofts .NET is? I went to Microsoft's website and read the "What is .Net" article and was still sort of befuddled. The reason i'm asking is because i need to write a 5 page informational report on Microsoft.

Any suggestions to other noteworthy microsoft topics would be appreciated. I've already covered the whole antitrust thing, as well as the acquisition of Navision.

Thanks.