Starting off with a framework is never a good way to get to learn a technology, even if you start with jQuery you'll still have to learn the JavaScript syntax, built-in functions, and all the rest.. Moreover, there is a basic you have to know before using jQuery because jQuery is not a language itself but just a framework.
A framework is only good to extend your knowledge and improve development and not to teach you the basics of a technology. And about PHP, don't let it discourage you, it is incredibly easy to learn and to use as soon as you get the hang of it. It's so easy that even the not-so-brightest think it's simple. Leave MySQL for last, learn the PHP basics first then take the next step. I also suggest you use an IDE (Eclipse, NetBeans, Komodo, etc.) that supports calltips for the built-in functions, this can save you a lot of time at the beginning. -- Isaak Malik Web Developer
