Beginning Programming

Hey /prog/

I've been trying to get into programming for awhile, but I usually get nowhere. Had a lot of free time recently and I'd rather not spend it all at 4chan.

I'm pretty sure I've got the main concepts and basics down but I never practice, so I always end up forgetting or never really appreciating the stuff I read.

What are some basic programs you'd recommend for a beginner? If I had some set goals to practice my programming, maybe I could accomplish something.

>>27 (con't)
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am a gigantic faggot who clearly hasn't read SICP, and who only ^{stays around} /prog/ because I want to learn your secrets and (_someday) be as awesome as all the ^cool_people on this board.