Newbie But Urgent

HELLO, I am finished working with the html and css levels and want to take my design to the next level. I realize that JS is getting outdated and many new technologies have started popping up. I do want a database driven site. I am running Windows and have both the 98 and 2000 versions. There's one main thing i want to accomplish w/ either php or asp: I want a system where users can join our site by means of filling out a form and submitting it, which generates the username and password to be placed into a databse (mayb other info.). Then the next time they visit the site they can login via the database. Now i know this is possible with both php and asp, but which is easier. Also i have a plan of using php and mysql, and learning these by means of this book: PHP and MySQL Web Development. (ISBN: 0672317842) Although 1 book may cover both technologies, i am simply looking for simplicity, which technology will be easier to accomplish this task. Thanx for all ur help.