I'm teaching myself to code and blogging about my journey. I write about some of the issues you mention like how to get a domain and set it up and all that. It's not that difficult but it looks hella intimidating doesn't it? Anyway, you might find it helpful: http://pragmaticstartup.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/how-i-am-le... and http://pragmaticstartup.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/how-i-am-le... ->this probably more relevant because I talk about the first few apps I worked on.