When learning .NET I find it useful to have a couple different methods of learning.  Here are some of the learning resources that I use.

First, I find that if I want to learn a topic thoroughly I turn to books or SDK documentation.  I find that books give a more straightforward approach to many topics than just trying to find article to read on the web.  Next I go to training classes, which could include anything from webcasts to in person training such as Dunn Training or Developmentor.  These classes can help get you up to speed on a topic in fractions of the time it would take you to learn them on your own or to ask your friend in the cubical next to yours.  Then to stay up to date or to learn new topics I attend user groups or free events.  These are such thing as the C# User Group or MSDN Events.  These are a great way to talk with other developers and to learn about a topic that you find interesting.

Here is my list of how I would rank these training materials based on Content per dollar:
1) Books – Best return on the amount of money they cost and if you have time to read it you will probably know more about the topic than listening to someone tell you about it.
2) Training classes – Even though it costs a little more than a book, these are well worth the cost and are life savers if you have to learn something very quickly.  These are also great if you are not directly paying for them because the content per dollor goes up considerably.  Also you have the opportunity to ask the instructors questions on topics you don’t understand, which will make learning much faster and more in depth.
3) User Groups – Well I bet most of you thought I would put this as the number 1 bang for the buck deal, but in most cases I feel that the books and training are more in depth on topics.  I think that user groups are great if you want training that is low cost and you have time to go to them.  Don’t get me wrong even at number 3 it is still a very important part of being a developer.

Based on cost:
1) User Groups – These are the best way to learn current and new topics without having to spend any money and they are usually after hours, which make them easy to get to.  Also you might win prizes that make them an even better deal.
2) Books – If you are willing to put in the effort to read the book you will have a great return on the money.  What I have found is that most people actually don’t read the entire book they skim through chapters they don’t find interesting.  I feel those people are missing out a little bit because it always happens that I find something I didn’t know about in those chapters I wasn’t interested in reading about.
3) Training classes – Aside from Microsoft Webcasts which could be consider under user groups, training classes usually cost more money and are held for a limited amount of time.  If you don’t think of your questions during the event, people tend to usually shy away from emailing the instructor to ask how to accomplish something.

Overall summary:
1) Books – 1.5 Ranking
2) User Groups – 2 Ranking
3) Training – 2.5 Ranking

Like I said in the beginning, I use all of these resources.  Just because I list them on how I use them doesn’t mean that is how you have to use them.  Actually, let me know what you think, tell me how you would rank these learning resources or if you have others that I didn’t talk about.

--Brendon Schwartz