Any thoughts or suggestions?

http://www.netbeans.org

Would this help or hinder a guy wanting to get into developing more?

I use NetBeans for Java development (including mobiles) and it is very nice for that. Never used it in any other context though i.e. javabeans or web.

It's according to what you want to do. It's web *application* development. Nothing like php. But before diving into Net Beans, you would need to learn the core Java language first.

If you want to get into web application development, Java is a good language and the pay is really good.

I'm just not sure were to direct my efforts. According to "todays" needs in programming web. Java would be the highest paid? Most sought after?

If I'm going to take the time to learn a new language, I guess I want to make sure it's the one I get the most benefit from.

You probably need to learn a few languages. In my corner of the country, knowing javascript alone is worthless, but then knowing asp or php without js is only helpful to a degree. It's really a dance the server side and client side code play together.

Originally Posted by Sydpix

I'm just not sure were to direct my efforts. According to "todays" needs in programming web. Java would be the highest paid? Most sought after?

If I'm going to take the time to learn a new language, I guess I want to make sure it's the one I get the most benefit from.

Search on Google for "it toolbox salary survey". You can't view unless you are a member (which is free). For the United States, it shows Java as the highest paid for programmers. A lot higher than web programming.

Forest, I understand we live in a pretty diverse planet these days. If you were to narrow it down to say 2, what two (in your opinion) would be the best to learn. Since I self taught myself xhtml / css and photoshop, I will probably do the same here. Even if it takes years.

PHP / MySql ?

ASP / .NET ?

or...

I would love to hear some other opinions as well. Thanks guys and gals