I know Java pretty well, as well as a little HTML and CSS. I've thought about learning PHP/SQL, so if that's needed let me know. Also, I have superficial knowledge of a lot of subjects. I'm majoring in Chemistry, but I don't know much of anything yet.
I read this book called "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel that had some pretty sound advice in it. I'd recommend it for anyone getting started, although it is sort of dull reading.
This Believe it or not, I agree with you. I think it is hit or miss sometimes with different hardware, though. My laptop runs great with it, and yet I've never been able to get it running decently, and it is more powerful on paper than my laptop.