arduino or basic stamp

westfw - Thank you for your input and clarifying some issues.

Cheater - Thanks - well past LEDs - started with Tube Computers.

massimo - Thanks and guess we see things differently.

Andrew - That book covers 3 very similar Basics and will be 90% compatible - doing some ground work first is very sound and a good investment IMHO.

Chris - It seems like you have everything sorted out, & I hope it works out for you.