hmm... a lot of confusion around here it seems...
1. php doesn't let you do the things you can do with javascript and the other way round: php runs solely on the server whereas JS runs inside the client. So, in short, there's NO way whatsoever you can compare the two.
2.
Google has made an application which converts java to web friendly javascript, as it can be a problem.
eeeh... wot? wot? wot? interesting idea but before linkage I have a hard time believing this: Java has nothing at all to do with JavaScript and the other way round. They both have a very different role to play within the web: java runs within a java-server or a java applet, none of which can communicate directly with the client (browser) as javascript can.
3.
a chore to get to grips with for the average hobbyist
Well, actually, a lot of the current javascript incarnation's issues could be solved if they didn't persist in keeping it (web-technologies in general) accessable to the average hobbyist. For the average proffesional this is quite annoying..
And really, the days of easy webdevelopment are gone for a long time. That is, if yuo want to get more out of your page then 'just' another wordpress-template-blog. I personally think that's a good thing; people finally start taking my proffession seriously. Which is ample reward for stiking in the amount of time the average serious web proffesional has.
An important part of our (webdevelopers) expertise is knowing about the differences between platforms (browsers, os, hardware), their limitations and quirks. A webdeveloper will then also know it's not the fault of JavaScript neither HTML or CSS: it's the platform developers which mke a mess of things, we're just bending the rules to conform (any specific design) to their atrocities.
We're just trying to make perfect applications for an imperfect system. To me, that's part of the fun, part of the challenge. If that's not your cup of tea.. well.. then MAYBE this isn't the right hobby for you?
[/rant]
(oh, in case you guys didn't notice: I'm still enjoying Javascript a lot, even after 10+ years
)