Programming is a fundamental skill for Information Systems and Information Technology students. It is also a subject that some students fear, avoid, fail, retake, and fail again. An effective, inexpensive, one-semester approach is presented. Early indications suggest dramatically improved student interest and performance compared to our previous two-semester approach. Key features include heavy use of web-based online programming, use of a scripting language (Perl), development of general-purpose programming skills, and a free textbook (PDF).