Beginners web project

I want to create a quite large web project but I dont have much experience with web development.
I'm trying to avoid buying a web page from proffesional developers because that would be to pricy for me.
I have some experience with html and a little of javascript and css, plus I have a lot of programming experience so its not too difficult for me to learn new stuff.

If I create this page I plan on putting it up on a webhotel (I dont have acces to a server myself).

This is what I want on the page:
I plan to sell a downloadable program on the page.
The normal part of the page like info on the program and stuff like that is not a problem, that I can do myself (or learn to do pretty easily).
The problem is the paying part. When the user has payed the user should get a username and password and get acces to "members only" parts of the page, where they can download the program, updates, maybe I can have a discussion board there.
This ofcourse has to be an automated process. Directly when the user has payed he gets the username/password and can go to the "members only" page.
What do I need to learn to be able to create a page like this?
ASP, SQL, XML, PHP?
Does webhotels typically support these or do I need my own server?

What paying service is the best?
Paypal, ibill, kagi?

Hoping for help.

I would go for PHP / MySQL. Tutorials and many very good articles and examples are here: www.devshed.com

wtf is a webhotel?

LOL

I think he means someone who host your site... an ISP...


If you decide that PHP + MySQL is your platform, then yes you can find Web hositng for that. You'll be equally likely to find Windows ASP + MS Access.

So before even starting you will have to decide if you want to go the opensource or Microsoft routes... I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

The answer to this will depend on several factors.

1) If you want something that is technically easy to implement, but charges high fees

2) If you don't mind something harder to implement in order to pay lower feed

3) Which can be easily integrated into your "members only" site with minial manual effort