LunchusBoxious:
Far-Seeker, that's an awesome idea!!!! as for the software playground... what would I use out of there? There is so much information and so many different programs to use.
Thanks, unfortunately I haven't had an excuse to really mess around with interfacing and Arduino with PC software (other than the Arduino IDE, of course). However, since it's part of the standard libraries that come with the IDE, Firmata should have a decent base of previously existing code. You are correct that there are a lot of options, which is probably why a whole section of the Forum is devoted to the topic. You might want to ask for advice on software interfacing there as well.
Edit: Oh and please don't try to directly power your Arduino from your computer's PSU! Without additional hardware, a normal computer PSU doesn't have a means to limit the current at a safe level for the Arduino. This thread discussing how to use an ATX power supply as the basis of a benchtop power supply goes into more of the details...