I have one application (Drive Image, essential to me) that needs it otherwise .net wouldn't be on my system at all. For anyone on dial-up .net framework is an absolute monster, not to mention the .net update process is prone to failure as has happened to me and many others on numerous occasions.
So rather than increase my dependence on .net with yet another application that requires it I will eventually replace Drive Image and get rid of .net framework. When I get an application I don't like to see that it needs multiple other pieces of software that aren't a part of the OS.