Bill McCarthy has a good idea for trying to get VB6 developers up-to-speed. He suggests a gradual process - kind of like the Patch. The approach is similar to unmanaged VC++ and sounds pretty good. A VB6 app would be brought into the unmanaged VB6+ environment and have their project converted with some minor changes (i.e. terminology and keywords). Beyond this, they would be compliant as an unmanaged VB6+ Level 1 application. Various steps would exist to get projects closer and closer to becoming full .NET systems.
I like the idea. Getting VB6 projects into the .NET space is definitely worth taking a look at. The .NET environment is far superior. Now, the question remains as to how much effort Microsoft would be willing to put into something like this. I doubt they would make such a vast commitment. It all depends on the numbers, though. While I like the idea, I'd rather see the Yukon/Whidbey and Longhorn/Orcas projects moved up. Stagnant technology only leaves room for one thing - stagnant developers looking for new opportunities.
We'll see where this idea goes. Good job, Bill!