I agree, BUT I still think C++ is NOT a good first language. Also C# is a better introduction to C++ than C, and it would has the added advantage of protecting the beginner from system crashing errors.

We have moved to C# for everyting that doesn't require C or C++, and when we require C or C++, we give that job to the senior developers only.

The C# language is simple to learn, the .NET framework on the other hand is a mountian.