Single digit is fine. Once I figure out how to do this, I can easily add more later. You have the my idea correct, and I have looked at the PIC microcontrollers and MAX 232, but still am not quite sure I know what to do about getting started.
I know I need to get a breadboard for testing, power supply (I can convert an old computers supply), jumpers, I looked at an APP-II kit. How do I combine the thing to the computer for instant control. I want to first get it to work just by downloading a program to the microcontroller and then I can work on making it web interactive.
By the way, I am very inexperienced at this stuff. I am a fairly good programmer, just never worked with electronics like this before.
Thanks for the help.