Recommendations?

[chobo321321]

I'm not really sure where to post this, so I apologize if it's not in the section. I have been doing xhtml, and css for around half a year, and was wondering what area I should focus on learning next.

I am really weak in the programming department, and it's time for me to learn some sort of scripting language (client or server side). I have done a bit of javascript, such as using it in mouserovers on image maps, but thats about it. I honestly have a hard time coming up with things to do with javascript, period. I know it can be used for data validation, but all the useful website features require a server side scripting language.

I would like to continue improving my web skills, but I have no idea where to go from here... Should I learn asp, aspx, php, javascript, or do most website developers buy scripts, and just learn the basics (installing them). I am completely lost.

What kind of skills does it take to get a job, as a web-developer, or web-programmer, or what skills does a person need to start up their own web company? I know I'm no-where near any of the above, but I would just like some direction to get there.

My skills so far include:

-html (xhtml)
-css
-photoshop cs
-image ready

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[DanielOliver]

Don't buy scripts. I would suggest either learning PHP or XML. XML is pretty cool and pretty straight forward, PHP is a little trickier, and I used to think it looked pretty harsh at times, but after having learnt a few programming languages, or at least the basics of them I now think PHP looks pretty straight forward.
If you want to be able to tackle more challening prjects take on some PHP. Buy a book and get stuck in. I have 4 books here on it and I haven't read one yet The ultimate slacker I think you might agree. But hoping to read one of them after I finished what I'm already reading.