Where do I begin?

I am a small business owner with a web sites that, if boiled down to its core, is a small on-line niche bookstore with things like a newsletter, discussion forums, and a couple of searchable databases thrown in. I have four computers:

1) Web server running Microsoft Server 2000
2) Personal, daily use laptop running XP Home Edition
3) Desktop, daily use running XP Home Edition
4) Desktop, workhorse running Windows 98 (because my bookkeeping program requires that)

My web site is programmed in ASP using Visual Basic. I want to take things to the next level. I "think" I should be learning ASP.NET. I've purchased several books, downloaded the ASP.NET web matrix, spent an entire week trying to figure it out and find myself hitting a huge brick wall that I cannot seem to penetrate.

It appears I need some new software, but I simply cannot figure out what to get. I have looked at purchasing the Microsoft Action Pack, but it doesn't come with Visual Studio .NET (that I can't afford to purchase separately). The books I've purchased re .NET all refer to Visual Studio .NET. This web site seems to indicate that isn't needed if you use the ASP.NET web matrix, but I can't figure out what the difference is (except that any example I try to replicate from my books DON'T WORK in the ASP.NET web matrix).

Can someone PLEASE just tell me what I need to actually write a snip of code, ("Hello World" would be GREAT), and actually have it run. I'm completely overwhelmed with all of the options. I'm looking for a "start at the very beginning," "do A, B, C and you'll be off and running" in plain English answer.You might find it worthwhile to follow the tutorials atLearnASP.com (particularly the "First Lessons" section in the menu on the left). Charles seems to have a knack for bringing in the uninitiated and getting them on the right track.