Something neat/geeky to buy under $200

[Scarpozzi]

I really should cut the BS and make myself learn some basic stuff. My brain just doesn't remember stuff. I'm awesome at figuring stuff out but remember commands and such just isn't what I'm good at.

It's not that bad. You can buy the input modules, steal code that people share, and use that to learn how it works faster than reading. The code is basic enough that most moderately technical folk can get it.

After I did that, I wrote a much more complex piece of code for a developer needing a prototype. I was able to send him my code and a wiring diagram and he made it work with his arduino.