[lukeshep]

Hi guys, wondering if you can help.

I have been designing websites for fun for about 8 years now but really want to make a go of it professionally.

I am looking really to get some recognised qualifications and wondered if anyone had any advice. I am based in the Midlands, England and really would need to do it as a distance learning course.

I had a look at the National IT Learning Centre website and it looks tempting - gonna ring a guy about that later today - does anyone know what they're like??

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks very much.

[serverguy]

TBH, I don't think you need any.

If you have the skills to do it for eight years, then you should have a pretty good portfolio.

Just design a killer website, have a good portfolio, some good marketing speel, and get a decent Google ranking.

You'll be all set :)

[lukeshep]

Fair enough - what I really wanted though was a course on which I can learn php, etc. - I'm ok with html and css and a little bit of flash, but that's it really - my exerience and knowledge stops there.

Anyone got any tips on how I might be able to learn other languages - how did you go about it?? Are there any recommended books, etc. that you would suggest.

Thanks again.