My dad is, but after trying to teach me basic declared that "this child will never be any good with computers". I left home to become a professional dancer. It

My dad is, but after trying to teach me basic declared that "this child will never be any good with computers". I left home to become a professional dancer. It wasn't until I was in my early 20s I started learning Perl - I wanted to build a guestbook, like everyone with a website in 1997. So I wasn't mentored by anyone, I just taught myself with the Camel book and asked questions on usenet when I got stuck. This is the method by which I still learn new things. Get a good book (or online tutorial). Ask questions.