Resources for learning about NoSql/Non relational databases

Question

Are there any good resources and/or sample applications(in C# preferably, but any will do) for learning more about designing applications around non-relational databases such as hadoop, cassandra, etc?

I am more interested in learning the design/theory of such applications as opposed to learning about specific non-relational db products.

Thus far, my development experience has been centered around relational data models and I am interested in learning about the use of non-relational models in place/along side of relational databases.

I am definitely a beginner in this area so I need to start from the ground up here...

Answer 1

Cassandra article and presentations

Cassandra + hadoop

Cassandra data modelling

Cassandra data model