OK I really want to learn Java programming....However I have never programmed anything in my entire life! Can anyone recommend where to get started? I really need hands on type stuff. I learn much better by doing than reading.

In my opinion, "C" is the most appropriate language than Java and C++ to start learning. The reason is that Java and C++ are the object-oriented programming. So the object-oriented concepts are too confusing for the beginners. Even an experienced programmers take some time to understand and be able to use practically. These object-oriented concepts are really obstacles for the beginners to learn the basic programming logic and expression.
So I recommand that you should learn "C" first. Only after you get some experience and quite confortable with C, then you should consider to move a step forward by learing C++ or Java, the object-oriented concept.
What's more C syntax is the same as C++'s and Java's. That means if you know C, you wouldn't need to learn new syntax to learn C++ and Java.

Yeah but how and where?

Just get a beginner's book on C (Sam "Teach Yourself" series are quite good for the absolute beginners).

I learned C before any C++ or Java. Right now I'm struggling with Java with things like packages. I think I almost have it right though. You might find that C is boring because beginner books focus on the standard C langauge definition. On the other hand, Java is supported by a framework of specialized libraries.

I have read that the C++ community often encourages that beginners jump right into C++ without learning C first. My favorite C++ book is C++ Primer 3rd edition. See book reviews at < www.accu.org >

I find that most texts on Java are probably too fast pased for beginners who don't have experience with another langauge. Some of them such as Oreilly's Learning Java presupposes a C++ background!

A good quality C book is Pointers On C by kenneth Reek.

I began programming with ADA... not a very popular language but very adapted for parralelism...

It was develloped by the DoD. If you know a little computer history you might recognize Ada as the first programmer. She was hired by Babbage that tried to build the first computer.

Anyway... ada is well fitted for beginners for it is very "typed", i.e. you cannot in opposition with C mix variables not of the same type.