Thanks! Im in the US, so pref. US vendors. And i agree, i was looking at the starter kits, and noticed that they provided nothing i didnt already have.
What do you mean by a clone arduino? a "seeduino?" I read about those, and they seem cheaper, but i wasnt sure what i was buying. what types are like the duimillinove(cant spell)? im ok with soldering, so whatever gets me the most board for the least cheddar im gung-ho on.