I am a self-taught Front End Web Developer who writes a lot of CSS, HTML, & jQuery Javascript and pushes pixels in Photoshop from my laptop with flexible location and time restraints. I love my job. I want to share how to get started in this field. I feel that if you're reasonably tech-savvy and persistently driven, you can learn this. If you're not tech-savvy, then just double up on the persistence. First I'll cover the tools needed, next I'll go over the fundamentals, and then share my favorite resources.

Tools

• Mac - Not saying you can't do this on a Windows or Linux machine, just that if you want to, you're learning from the wrong guy. That being said 95% of the people I know that do design, development, or production, do it on a Mac. You don't need a fast one as web work is pretty nimble (most files are really small). I'd suggest getting the low-end MacBook for the basics, or the low-end MacBook Pro if you've got a little extra. Portability is nice. If you know you'll only be working at home, then go for the iMac. That thing kicks ass and you get a huge screen (super helpful to have lots of screen space). If you go laptop, eventually get a second monitor.
• Coda - Skip Dreamweaver. You need to learn the code.