computer trends

There is still a lot of work out there for your expertise. You don't really need to get into development. If you are looking for work perhaps try getting involved with a temp agency, and make sure your resume is up to date, and they can probably place you with a good company where you can use your skills.

When this first happened, I thought I would enhance my strengths, so I got the book to get certified with windows 7. So I have been doing that, it's just as I was looking, I started having second thoughts when I see a lot of programming jobs.

I think if you have some time and resources, some additional certification in software areas will certainly increase your options and will be a plus. I work for a very big company - its main business is not IT - it outsources 100% of hardware-related positions (folks who are fixing PC's) but it does have a few programming folks and software people on the staff. It may not matter that much - still outsourced positions are much more vulnerable - even though folks may keep their places within their companies, but they are moved around all the time. There is certainly a lot for work for people with your expertise, but additional knowledge in software would not hurt for sure.

As far as a permanent (or long term like more than 5 years) job, those jobs are not there any more.  You might be lucky to get very long term position if you accept bottom salary.

Getting into programming job for very first time is not easy.  You will have to decide which programming language you want to learn.  Another problem is that most companies want people with more than one or two (or even four) different programming skills.  Not to forget that job market for this job has lots of competition and interviews are very difficult.
I am not trying to discourage you in anyway.  I have been in your situation when I was looking for my very first programming job.

If you have any particular (specific) question, just ask.

HTH
Ashok

By the way, if you want to really learn something quickly that will last forever, I would suggest you learn Android Programming (Java).

Which cell phone do you use?  (Android / iPhone / Blackberry???)

If you have Android cell phone and Windows computer, you have everything you need to become an expert in Android.

HTH
Ashok

I would agree with Ashok, this is definitley a growing area right now, and would probably need more  people at least for some time. But you need to get Java background for it. So you'll anyway need to start with Java.

I didn't think you were being discouraging, Ashok, it sounded more like being realistic. Which is what I would prefer.
I was thinking of trying Java when I had the thought that I should try programming.
If I do try Java, is there a good friendly source to learn?
I say friendly, because I don't know if I'm good at programming, and I would be very new to this.

I used to study Java with this book; it is comprehensive, but I don't think it assumes any programming background:
http://www.amazon.com/Java-Complete-Reference-Herbert-Schildt/dp/0071606300/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

JeffBeall,

1) Download Eclipse IDE (they have multiple versions available, you may try to download the latest or download Eclipse Hellios (3.6.2) which is older version I am using).

2) Download Android SDK

3) Start with HelloWorld application

4) Learn Java syntax and basic (many resources on Internet, like YouTube, Google search "Java Tutorial", etc.)

Only fast way to learn swimming is to jump in the water first.
Only fast way to learn programming is to jump in and start learning, do not be afraid.

HTH
Ashok

look at some recommendations here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090130000326AA1pWf7

http://www.freejavaguide.com/corejava.htm

http://eclipsetutorial.sourceforge.net/totalbeginner.html

HTH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL1xrsZAowM

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. one thing I thought of as I read the comments.
How long do you estimate it takes to learn Java? I understand it's hard to guess, not knowing me, but if you had to guess an average time, for an average person, what do you think?

I may sound a little bit old-fashioned but especially if you never did any programmimg before, I would at least read a few beginning chapters of some good book on java - like the one I mentioned above, just to give you very general idea what it is all about. Then when it comes more to reference stuff, of course internet is much better. But in the very beginning some narrative to get the very basics about java virtual machine, compilation, even some beginning stuff about objects and object-oriented programming may be really useful and requires little bit more calm approach than, say, 10 minutes Youtube movie.
It will also give you some minimal ability to be aware of some basic critical words at the interview.
Of course it is true, after that most of the experience  is just practice.

Thank you so much for all the help. I didn't expect some much feed back, but I am very grateful for the help.