[Noisebridge-discuss] Arduino questions

[travis+ml-noisebridge at subspacefield.org]

Hey all, since Arduinos seem to be such a hot topic, and I missed
the announce for the group meet today, I thought I'd ask a question.

I've got an idea for a computer-controlled home alarm system that's
been brewing in my mind for a long time - need to write up notes.

Generally, I want to be able to hook up a variety of sensors, though
most of the NO/NC switch type, and only interrupt the computer if
there's an alarm condition.

My understanding is that a microcontroller is ideal for this.

I used to do it with RS-232 and parallel, but they went the way
of the dino.  I guess USB is the way now.

I heard some of the USB chips and stacks are flaky, and I want
strictly FLOSS tools, so I asked around, and arduino seems to be
highly recommended.

So, where should I start?  How do I start?

I'm willing to sink $200-300 into the board and unit, but only if I
can be reasonably assured it'll work, be flexible enough for future
needs, and I won't ruin it by putting it together.

I just wouldn't know where to start, exactly.
-- 
A Weapon of Mass Construction
My emails do not have attachments; it's a digital signature that your mail
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