<p>It looks like main issue you have with C#/Java is that it is slower than C++. That’s true, but telling the OP that it is a “horrific platform” is incorrect, it is still widely used and will increase in popularity. </p>
<p>As for the “cross-platform compatibility issues,” they are solved with the .NET implementations.</p>
<p>This is like telling him not to learn Java. You just have an issue with a language that requires a virtual machine. </p>
<p>Back to the subject though: If you get a Mac then you can learn Java, C++, and STILL learn the .NET using Mono.</p>
<p>I don’t know how we got so far off topic.</p>