I only know XHTML/HTML/CSS stuff... I can alter PHP but I can't write it. I wanted to learn ruby, though. However, it seems as if all the manuals/tutorials/etc are meant for people who already know a programming language. I read tutorials and my head spins- it's like a foreign language and they treat it as if it's as easy as riding a bike.

Is Ruby for beginners?

This is a hard question.
Maybe its even easier to learn if you have not yet found "your" language, you will be more open for it.
The best book I know it the famous pragmatic prorammers ruby book, which is available online:

http://www.ruby-doc.org/docs/ruby-doc-bundle/ProgrammingRuby/index.html

But I don't know if it speaks to you - this is so personal...
I hope you find your way!

it looks good... I'll take a look at it this evening. thanks. :)

I only know XHTML/HTML/CSS stuff... I can alter PHP but I can't write it. I wanted to learn ruby, though. However, it seems as if all the manuals/tutorials/etc are meant for people who already know a programming language. I read tutorials and my head spins- it's like a foreign language and they treat it as if it's as easy as riding a bike.

Is Ruby for beginners?

Those are the people who are skilled with programming languages.
But all programming/scripting languages can be learn though.. heheheh

Look, If you really want to learn programming, it does not matter which language you take. I learned Pascal, Basic, Java, C, Php, Perl, Ruby, Clean and currently Lisp and I found all learnable. I guess ruby does not put many stones in your way (like C or even Java do), yo why not begin with it?

Happy Coding!