Thanks Mickeyfinn, I appreciate the quick response.

As far as what I plan to do, I plan on (eventually) trying my hand at freelance web design. It is something that I have always wanted to try, but have never had the time to do. So essentially I want to be creating corporate (mainly) websites for clients.

I have a question regarding web coding (for web design specifically). To be honest, I am greatly confused. For somebody trying to learn the basics as a fast pace, it is a lot to take in. It is the sheer number of coding languages that puzzle me.

HTML, XHTML, XML, JAVASCRIPT, JAVA, C+, CSS, etc...

I guess I have a hard time differentiating between them. I have attempted to gain some insight via wikipedia, but to no real avail. If any of you could provide a brief description for each language, that would be great. Or alternatively, provide any helpful links.

Also, in terms of modern day web design, which of the languages are the most popular? I.e, which languages should I be researching and using?

Hello there, I hope that you can help me gain some answers.

Assuming a person wishes to start up a freelance web-design business from scratch (with themselves as the sole employee/worker), with a HND in Design under his/her belt but no work experience in the field, what sort of procedure would that person need to follow?

Most importantly, how would he/she go about registering their business in the first place? I have heard conflicting reports about how to go about starting a freelance business, and I see no clear answer. Some state that a business can run for a whole year without having to register and pay tax. Is this true? I’ve also heard that a business has to be earning a certain amount?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.