Ask YC: Advice on learning programming in 9 months

I am tempted to quit my job and move to the bay area to spend 9 months focused on learning programming and a bit of web design.

I already know a bit of programming, one college course of Java worth but not much.

I am an aspiring startup entrepreneur and want to get to the point where I can start creating cool stuff. I could probably get by depending on others to do the technical stuff, but I feel like in the long run learning programming is really important for my desired career path.

I know it takes longer to become a great hacker but I hope to learn as much as possible in 9 months.

What advice would you have for someone thinking of doing this?

I am thinking of starting with HTML/CSS and Javascript and working on some simple browser add-ons, so I can start creating stuff that applies what I am learning relatively quickly.

I wish something like Ars Digita University still existed today but it doesn't. I am thinking of joining something like the Hacker Dojo or something similar.

If your goal is to create cool stuff now, you don't necessarily need to learn how to program. You can build prototypes in PowerPoint or Keynote. My partner and I built http://www.thankthanknotes.com in 8 hours using Wordpress, a pre-built template, wufoo, paypal, and almost no code.

Now, if you have a genuine interest in programming that's a different story. I do know it's taken me years to become a half-decent developer (I come from a design background). So, have some patience. What do you do now? Did it take 9 months to be come proficient? But don't let a lack of dev experience/knowledge keep you from building something cool.