If you are already a vb programmer, then .net would be the way to go. You can get a copy of Windows 2003 Web Edition and you will get the SQL engine, smpt, pop3, IIS for about 400 bucks.

You already know vb but the switch to .net is gonna take you a couple weeks.

Once you get started in .net you won't want to work with anything else.
It is deluxe.