>So what other paths are nicer, while requiring less up-front risk? It's pretty difficult to beat the upfront cost/risk of "Fire up a web browser and a compile

>So what other paths are nicer, while requiring less up-front risk? It's pretty difficult to beat the upfront cost/risk of "Fire up a web browser and a compiler/interpreter and start reading a tutorial". That can lead to an entry level job in 6mo - year or less. Software is really an anomaly in this area especially with tuition costs these days. You can learn math or engineering on your own to lessen the risk of flunking out of a major, but you're still required to spend the time.