Thanks for all the info, Hans. I stole some time this morning and, starting with your script, came up with one that lets Life Balance install; this would probably be appropriate for any .net 1.1 application:
#!/bin/sh wineserver -k cat >> $HOME/.wine/system.reg <<"_EOF_"
[Software\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v1.1.4322] "Install"=dword:00000001 "SP"=dword:00000001
[Software\Microsoft\.NETFramework\policy\v1.1] "4322"="3706-4322" _EOF_
The installer hangs at the end after you answer the "want to reboot?" prompt, but the app seems to be installed ok offhand. Running it fails with
$ ~/wine-git/wine Life\ Balance.exe
** (Life Balance.exe:10): WARNING **: field __ImageBase in <Module> should have RVA data, but hasn't Stacktrace:
at Life_Balance.LBForm..cctor () <0xffffffff> at Life_Balance.LBForm..cctor () <0x00084> at (wrapper runtime-invoke) System.Object.runtime_invoke_void (object,intptr,intptr,intptr) <0xffffffff>
(This is with the latest Mono for Windows installed.)
But hey, that's progress! - Dan