donw:
I have very extensive electronics background (40+ years). … I would like to begin with computer programming.What I am looking for is advice on where to start! Quite a bewildering array of products!
3 answers:
1 - start with the tutorials and example code. Put some LEDs in a breadboard. Make 'em blink. See the arduino playground.
2 - start with a C++ tutorial, because that's the thing you are missing. Just google "C++ tutorial".
3 - start with a project. none of this stuff is cool until you are working towards making a thing that you want to make.