...I forgot that there is such a thing as a usb-ttl CABLE. I only have boards that I plug into a cable...
the big reason for doing this was to make it so I don't need to have a breakable board w/ me to upload new firmware, and these things get updated often. I'll think abou tthe cable, but I already have some real nice panel mount USB connections I'd like to use, if for no other reason than they look pro as all hell and make me feel fancy.