[newton_dave]

> I would recommend starting to dabble with a smaller language first. Something like Python or Ruby would be an excellent place to start.

While I'd also recommend starting with something other than C#, I'd be hesitant about using the phrase "smaller language".

Good Ruby or Python is a deeper subject than C# (IMO); I agree that it's easier to get started in either of these, but becoming proficient in the language itself may actually be more difficult.

As you say, the .NET ecosystem, like Java's, is large and many-headed (I'd argue Java is even worse) and using it efficiently can be a steep climb.