Hey ATechGuy, I've also just began with PHP. I'm not sure what you want to learn to do with PHP for me it was being able to build websites with Databases, I'm tired of being restricted by Content Management Systems. The book I'm reading is called Build Your Database Driven Websites Using PHP and MySQL and so far its great.
Read this: http://www.php.net/manual/en/ Then goto http://www.phpclasses.org/ to find a sample project.
the place where I first learn about PHP : http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/DEfaULT.asP very simple one for beginners
It's hard for a beginner to learn from here tbh it's better to go here when you've got the basic knowledge sorted
i started learning php 4 months ago using "Apress.Beginning.PHP.and.MySQL.3rd.Edition.Mar.2008" and i found it great .. and ya - u can use php.net/function_name to get more info on functions
I started learning PHP 3 years ago and still learning. I suggest you to start from w3schools php tutorial and php.net manual. Learn basic commands (such as printing commands, loops & etc.) and try to make basic projects. E.x. password generators. Read as much sources as you can. This will give you more understanding.
My opinion, take a simple php script and see how it works. Then you will start to see a pattern and everything coming together. Don't buy any books or any bull like that, its just a waste of your money. EVERYTHING you need to know, you can find on the web or forums. if you need any help, PM me
Everyone learns a different way, I learned by finding a simple script and ripped it apart, and put it back together... php.net/manual IS YOUR BIBLE! I've been programming php for 10 years and I still reference it DAILY.