Hi all!

I'm a total newb to programming. I've worked with some HTML, PHP MYSQL and coldfusion, but my knowledge is VERY limited. I'd like to start to learn how to program though. For example, compile programs, make adjustments (within the required limits obviously) and maybe even create one of my own.
I admire most of the people on these boards, as you are all highly intelligent people. Where would you advise me to start my programming journey?

I have access to Windows XP + Kubuntu

If you've done some php and want programs that can be compiled, do Java next. That should be quite easy to adapt to. From there, C and C++ aren't far off. Dibrom would suggest you try Haskell or some other functional programming language -- those are viable options too.

I personally started with Pascal, then went to BASIC, then to VB, Java, HTML, C, C++, PHP, and back to Java.