How to train up?

Hi I've become aware that I've not kept up my PHP knowledge. I've a first class degree in Internet computing, but all my PHP is self taught, and from possibly a decade ago. I'm a freelance web developer, so it's often fairly basic stuff but also some not-so basic things such as .. I build a project control system for a printing company with a sophisticated user interface & ajax. I build with a 3-tier architecture, object oriented model, but I've actually avoided learning any framework because I'm stuck with the idea that if I build from scratch I can do anything, whereas if I start building things in someone else's framework, if I want to do something I've got to work out how to do it in the framework, and that's not a transferable skill. However, what's prompted this request is that I'd like to specialise more, and it seems the market wants me to do more PHP, so I ought to become the best I can be at it. And I only just noticed that my usual mysql commands such as http://php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-fetch-assoc.php is deprecated, so I really ought to get with the programme (or program, mebbe). I'm thinking, then, I ought to read a book that re-covers the basics for me (I'm looking for recommendations), and .. what else? I'm not wanting to start a framework war, btw, but I'm aware I've not heard as much about Zend as I used to. I know nothing about Zend. I used to subscribe to PHP Architect, maybe I need to renew that. So yeah .. pointers, please. Where should be my sources of info for my journey upwards? What should be my goals? How would you coach me? J -- ------------------------------------------------------------- John Allsopp, Online marketing, web development & social media Learn Twitter marketing for the smaller enterprise: http://www.surgemarketing.co.uk/twitterForTheSmallEnterprise.php http://www.surgemarketing.co.uk http://www.johnallsopp.co.uk http://www.amilliontweaks.co.uk Tel: 01723 376477 / 07762 941921 Twitter: @JohnAllsoppIM