rodmac, thanks, I'll look into them. I'm not sure if they can be individually controlled but thanks anyway!
Anachrocomputer, I'll take a look around, I imagine that that kind of group would be very helpful.
I was going to purchase the starter kit from tinker.it, but unforunately they're sold out... I did manage to get the book from Amazon, though, so I'll have something to read while I'm waiting 