Glad you like the forum!

I don't know what your ultimate goals are, but I would get CR Pro b/c the Standard edition is lacking database capabilities and upgrading to it is inevitable if you're going to be in this business. However, the Standard version is much cheaper and your company/client will probably have the Pro version for you.

If you are a software developer, you can get Visual Studio .NET Pro (not the Express editions), and CR comes with it and lets you integrate reports into custom applications and web sites. Again, this is only if you are a programmer.

Re databases, don't use MySql b/c its not fully supported. MS Access is the best/cheapest way to learn.

Yes, a version of CR comes with .NET. But yeah, it's best to just learn CR for now and worry about .NET later. But being a programmer, you'll pick it up pretty quick. Yes, technical books are pretty expensive. But sales on them are generally pretty thin compared to the countless hours put into research and writing. I hope to make a few bucks off the book, but I'm definitely not quiting my day job.    I appreciate it whenever somebody from the forum buys one even when I have lots of free content online.