The first thing i would start by learning is HTML/CSS/Javascript(and ajax, perhaps while learning a lib like jquery). If you are interested in web development (and to learn rails i guess you are) you need the basis of the web. Try http://code.google.com/intl/pt-PT/edu/ajax/index.html for some learning materials. Afterwards, with some pratice you can start by building your portfolio (can be one or many depends on the qualitiy i guess) and then i would say you more than to strap on your job helmet, and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into job land, where jobs grow on jobbies!