how much more difficult is it for those w/o degrees to...
 

...to land computer related jobs (internet based, web developers) opposed to those with degrees in the field? i assume it used to be a lot easier a couple years ago if you were without a degree, but i wonder since more n' more are with the paper, if most recruiters are requiring them?

Depends on what you are looking for.

W/o a degree you can probably get picked up by some small company that teaches you on the fly. If you are planning to climb the corporate ladder and plot your global domination to overthrow micro$oft and get Bill Gate's coffee mug, then most corporations will need a degree, unless you start with a company willing to train on the job.

:pimp

O man, over here in ny, where i live. If you KNOW how to make a website you will get a job. Just because of the fact that there ARE tons of small buisness that wants a website. And fucking people here are charging them like 1-3k for a average looking website. I can do a website like that in 2 days! So yeah, its easy as hell over here.

if your good at designing i don't think you'll need one as long as you have a good portfolio. But these days most designers are working on thier own instead.