you don't strike me as someone who reads much, so i can understand why you don't see the usefulness of scroll pan zoom on a computer. specifically on large pdf documents with tiny text. maybe I'm getting old, but those tech spec sheets text feel like they are getting tinier.
also not sure why you'd think ppl wave their hands in front of a touch screen all day blocking their view. most ppl are capable of moving their hands out of the way. it's not clear if you've used a smart phone before, but it's the same. though, i imagine if you did, you'd do as you imagine others do with a touch screen.
to each their own. i personally like direction they took. it's minimal and gives more of a teaser. like a movie poster or game box art. I'd find adding screenshots everywhere is a little too much towards a specific niche detail
Your goals sound too large. Start small. Reminds me of a saying my grandmother used to say, when we took walks. "One step in front of the other, over leaves, past trees, and over bridges"
The method I use to get stuff done:
1. Keep in mind an overarching goal; usually something simple and easy to do, but big enough to be a goal. For example, make a humidifier sensor that reports room humidity to a server.
2. Write down small tasks on sticky notes. Very very small. So small, they are easily achievable.
3. Place these sticky notes where you will notice. i.e partly over your monitor.
4. When you've finished a task, throw the stupid sticky in the garbage.
5. Rinse and repeat.
I really really like the simplicity and speed of http://nitrous.io. May not look as pretty as the other ones but it's the fastest and extremely functional.
Start with nitrous.io for a free quick dev environment. It gives you a little linux box you can play with and setup the web server. Perfect for learning.
As for language, I'll defer to the rest of the community. I'm partial on Node.js, since you really only have to learn Javascript, HTML and CSS. Everything else you can rely on your programmer knowledge. The choice is yours.
I recommend you choose a fairly simple project that interests you. No stupid hello world -- you're not completely new. Try an online tic tac toe game or something.
As for front end, I recommend you try backbone. It's barebones enough that you'll learn exactly what other frameworks do for you. It's also short enough to read to see how it works.
perhaps enabling open source editing of docs, wiki style, might help, but need to consider that a lot of docs is auto generated. Can't think of anything that can do that. Someone go create one.
Keep doing what you are doing; stay passionately curious.
Once you think you are good enough, help out at an open source project. Or start your own little project. One step in front of the other.
Then show case. Create a Show HN thread of what you built.
Build your online presence: Help out others on StackOverflow. Use twitter to tweet what you've learnt. Create a personal website with the projects you've worked on. It becomes your resume.
also not sure why you'd think ppl wave their hands in front of a touch screen all day blocking their view. most ppl are capable of moving their hands out of the way. it's not clear if you've used a smart phone before, but it's the same. though, i imagine if you did, you'd do as you imagine others do with a touch screen.