<p>You might want to learn to use a basic microprocessor. There are a few companies that put out boards that can even be programmed in BASIC. For example:</p>
<p>[BASIC</a> Stamp Programming Kit Comparison](<a href=“http://www.parallax.com/tabid/234/Default.aspx]BASIC”>http://www.parallax.com/tabid/234/Default.aspx)
[Arduino</a> - HomePage](<a href=“http://www.arduino.cc/]Arduino”>http://www.arduino.cc/)</p>
<p>You can do some really fun stuff with those boards.</p>