Cylindric:
To get started I was thinking of getting one of the starer-kits I see around the web, for example the Starter Kit from oomlout. There seems to be a bunch of generally-handy components in there for experimental tinkering, and my back-of-an-envelope adding-up seems to indicate a cheaper price than buying the bits separately.
Does anyone offer kits like 2-3x that size, enabling more project options right from the start?? If so can anyone suggest some websites? I just keep getting redirected to Makezine and Sparkfun websites. The project is looking like a load of fun, looking forward to seeing it in the gallery. 