Grumpy_mike. I honestly cannot help but feel your making things more complicated that they need to be. Our wonderful language does include a way to portray information in lamens terms. However that link is very useful, thank you.
My only concern would be controlling say, led 10 then say led 1 then 16 in that order. but im sure its possible with that setup.
Its not impossible to learn programing as you do a project, I learnt programing a HD47780 screen with the RPI while working through that project.
Fungus, thats awesome. thank you. I assume that can be made to control the LEDs on the pin outs in a certain order or all together? Not used that chip before so it will be new, I have the data sheet to read through today for it though.