Problem when expanding on the ShifOut tutorial for LEDs

Decoupling term was used refering to the purpose they are fulfilling on the circuit. The components are capacitors. The ones you bought should do alright.
Ill remind you Nick's reference to Grumpy Mike tutorial about what are their purpose. Will be better than us explaining it ( you should get used to research for yourself, and ask for help with doubts as opposed to expect people to give u a-build-by-connecting-the-dots kind of tutorial. That way you will not only be independent, void crap directions and also give you a much more complete insight into WHY things work as they do, and are built as they are !