You can read/capture the data on a PC using Processing or another language able to use a COM port.
Processing is Java based, free, and it is what Arduino IDE was made to mesh with.
The original model is Processing and Wiring. Arduino is an application of Wiring.
You'll need to include and use the Serial library to read COM.
You should notice the similarities between Arduino and Processing which is good and not so good (keeping which syntax is which straight) at the same time.
I'm no expert at Processing. I've used it enough to make sure it works to get at Arduino.