Hi, long time reader (I always save it to last when I'm reading through all my RSS feeds because it's my favourite), but first time poster. I am an eighteen year old Australian guy halfway through my first year of university, I am studying a bachelor of IT and Systems with a major in security (thinking of changing that, will see what happens). Because of my fairly poor background and current tight budget (university -> eep.) I have become a very resourceful person with allot of time on my hands (can't afford to go out now much can I). Usually I spend it reading all sorts of ebooks and papers and trying to learn new skills.
I have always admired the people I read about on HN talking about their start-ups and ventures into exciting projects and business. Last night I had a fantastic idea, something I really believe would be worth my time to give it a shot, but I am totally inexperienced. It might be childish but I would rather not go into detail about my idea, just know it combines some e-commerce with some social networking concepts. I want to code the site using PHP and a bit of Java-script, but my skills with these are not exactly up to the job yet.
So I ask you HN, will you point me to-wards what you believe to be the best of the best resources for:
PHP,
Java-script,
web hosting,
texts on starting your first project,
and e-commerce
I would also welcome any and all input from you guys, don't feel like you have to play nice, I am very open to you poking holes and learning about how the "real world" actually works.
Thanks for reading this.
I suggest you switch gears and spend your free-time coding :-).
Pick some technology you think you want (you can change your mind later) and start doing side projects in it. Do up your personal home page. Make a google maps mashup. Some stuff to familiarize yourself with the technology.
There have already been lots of good suggestions on which technologies to use. Try a couple different ones.