I started at around 12 too. Learned HTML + javascript, then Perl (first CGI, now more system utils), PHP, C++, Java (I love java\'s good OO support), XML, XHTML/CSS (yes theres a difference), and now I am 16 (bday was a week ago)

So yes, if you get started early... one technology leads to another and you eventually become proficient in everything. Tip: Google always helps

.
It sucks being unable to use your skills because you are young, because you have no credentials, etc. I did make ~$300 off Rent-A-Coder (
http://www.rentacoder.com) for a few years ago (it was a ripoff, but I just wanted some cash anyway).
But it is great to be able to donate your time to an OSS project. I\'ve always wanted to help one out, but I can never find the time. Junior year in HS after this summer won\'t help

. Maybe I\'ll poke around the sources and submit a patch if I see anything where I can be of help.
Note about HTML:
Early on, I had a very basic knowledge of HTML. I could make tables, use
, etc. Over time, I discovered the standards movement and semantic HTML (ALA is a good site:
http://www.alistapart.com). Now I pride myself in using DIV\'s in favor of tables and writing semantic markup styled with CSS. IMHO if you can\'t write valid XHTML, you don\'t know HTML. Tables are so 90\'s.
