I would either go for php or c# .NET - and it all depends on where your heading.

If you are looking to make small websites and applications etc, then I think PHP is the way forward. There are so many people out there using it, and so many things built with it (like VB), it is great to get things up and running quickly.

If on the other hand you want to move into serious development and looking for a career in a big company (I'm talking stock listed companies ) then I would go towards c# .NET. Most large companies are microsoft all the way and its really where the big money is.

You can also swithc over at any stage as the basic principles you will learn in coding are transferable, and you will learn a second language 10 times quicker than starting from scratch. Object Orientated Programming methodology is a very good thing to learn from the start as any decent sized application should use it.

A good book for learning php is http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTit...764579665.html from Wrox.