This is not quite something I have made with the Arduino, but I hope close enough. Many of my projects are hybrids with a PC component and a microcontroller component, communicating all the time. For example the PC may support display or grahping for the microcontroller. I have a program ( actually a series of them ) for talking, either in some cases to any mc, or in particular the BitWacker that I think might be of interest. It is in Java and should run on any platform ( but I only have xp and 98 ) I am getting an Arduino and may try something specific to it, within the framework that I have it should not be too hard. I am also looking for beta testers who ideally have a bit of understanding of Java. For more info see http://www.opencircuits.com/BitWacker_Java_Communications You can also of course reply here.