ASP.NET solves many of the problems that currently face Web developers, and it greatly simplifies the tasks of creating, debugging, and deploying Web applications. It's radically different from its predecessors in many ways, but it shares a common heritage and background to some. It requires that you learn new skills and forget about some you already have. It'll take time to master, but that investment will be repaid many times over once you start working with it in earnest. In short, it's what many Web developers have been asking for over the past few years.