hmm, why do you want them to be "readable"?
let me try to explain:
arduino is ALWAYS sending out bytes. that is 8 bits, which represent a number between 0 and 255.
these bytes/numbers MAY be interpreted as ascii code. which is what a terminal application on you computer does.
if you want your computer to display the letter "H", arduino actually sends out the number 72 in binary.
if you want your computer terminal application to display the decimal number 72, you have to send each digit binary encoded: 55 & 50.
arduino has built in serial functions for this:
"serial.write(72, INT);" does exactly what i described: it sends both digits (7 & 2) ascii encoded. so it is sending TWO bytes
if you do "serial.write(72)" just one byte is sent. that is 72 in binary. you're terminal application nevertheless will interpret this data ascii-wise and display the letter "H".
this might seem confusing at the first glance. and someone please correct me if i'm wrong. once you get the concept of serial communication everything is logical. but i remember myself going nuts on this.
// best, kuk