is dotnet right for my requirements?

[Justin Kennedy]

Hi,

I'm new to dotnet. In fact, I'm a Java/web dev. guy mostly. I was
debating on whether to use Java or dotnet for a recent project. The
main requirements are:

1. Tools to create a "rich" gui interface.
2. Ability to run on a desktop with no internet (stand-alone, with DB
capabilities).
3. Ability to run in a networked environment were the db is hosted on
our servers.

This will be an application used by Physicians to make their life
easier. But some of them don't have the internet which is why it needs
to run locally. Others have the internet and are much larger
practices, and would prefer a networked version.

I didn't want to get into a situation where I had to create separate
desktop and networked (or web-based) versions. This is why I wanted to
go with Java and use their webstart technology to accomodate this.

Does dotnet provide something similar to Java's webstart? Or maybe
there's an easy way to go from a vb.net app to an asp.net app?

Because mostly all physicians offices would be running windows (for
simplicity, etc...) I have no concerns over cross-platform issues (I
was thinking of using SWT for Java).

Thanks for your suggestions, and please understand I'm not interested
in a java vs. dotnet flame war, but I'm only familiar with Java
technology and would like the opportunity to learn dotnet with this
project.

Regards,
-Justin