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Well at my college we are all Linux, they start you off with C++, but IMO I think they should start off with Python to ease in the freshmen. I would suggest Django/Python for web programming (I am in the process of learning), also PHP (which I love and currently do all my side projects in) as for non web programming I would go with C/C++, and dare I say Java.

You can find Python book online, and Django book as well.

For a good IDE I really like Geany, it works well with a Linux system, and it's light weight. It looks for installed compilers so you don't have install anything on top it as long as you have all the stuff you needs like GCC, OpenJDK, etc.

Taken together, these pieces loosely follow the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern.

They don't seem to be too hung up on design pattern purity. Maybe it is different in IRC or the forums.

It's too bad everyone and their dog are excited about Ruby on Rails, when a great platform like Django is out there as well.

I use Django on my own site, and CakePHP (a poor RoR clone) at work. While using PHP has advantages, CakePHP is really not anywhere near Django in terms of the ORM stuff and actually using your data in any complex way.

The one really great thing about Django is that it's consistent. There is usually one way of doing things, instead of a million different ways that apply in different situations.

Take a look at the Django tutorial:
http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/intro/tutorial01/

And the Django book:
http://www.djangobook.com/

I don't think you'll be sorry.

PS. And on the whole Python indentation=block thing... It's not perfect, but only use spaces and it won't be a problem.

I learned Python and Django at the same time. I needed to transfer some existing apps for the company I was with, and decided to play around with Python/Django to see how that would work. I'd been out of the development/programming thing for a few years and had extremely minimal Python experience, but within a couple weeks I was much further on my projects than was anticipated. Perhaps it's just me, but Python and Django just made sense.
Django's documentation was accurate and thorough, which helped tremendously. Particularly, the Django book was very helpful and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in Django. (disclaimer - was using the beta version of the book)

Djangobook.com

A really great book. Under the GNU FDL, not CC. And the authors maintained pretty strict control over incorporating user comments (i.e. not like wikibooks), so progress was kind of slow, but the quality is good. Last I checked some sections were still unfinished, but it's more than enough to learn all you need to get started with Django.

Not to repeat what others above me have already stated but I want to add another angle on this subject.
Recently I just bought OReilly's Learning Python 3d. Well it is fine that I have it and can take it with me
when I travel, but the thing is I want it also on my computer. So I downloaded yesterday the *illegal* version(pdf).

Numerous times has happened of course the exact opposite, e.g. first downloading the illegal version and then actually buying it.
This applies to Music, etc...
On a side note check out the django online book. Be aware that although it is
available on-line the printed version was at first sold out.

So yeah... it works

As a good start, i recommend Django. It's a nice framework that takes care of a lot for you, but still lets you write Python. They have a few tutorials as well as a good community and an ongoing project, The Django Book. I transitioned directly from PHP to Python without any books. Most coding forms transition directly over to Python. As you learn more Python, you'll find shortcuts, e.g., the list constructs and lambda functions.

I also recommend reading over PEP 0008, the "standard" coding structure for the Python core libraries. It may seem restrictive limiting yourself to 79 character columns, but you get used to being able to read your code very quickly, especially if you come from PHP or Perl. (Tip: USE SPACES FROM THE START! You'll thank me later.) I can't underestimate the awesomeness of the interactive Python shell, either, especially for beginners.

There are also other platforms out there, Turbogears and Pylons being two notable ones. I think the Django documentation is a bit better, though.

You may also look up Web.py, which is as close to "drop and run" PHP as you'll get without going to pure CGI.

Python takes a little more care to set up at the server level, and you won't find may $1 hosts that support it.