"Daniel J Beardsall" wrote in message ...

[snip description of clock project]

It is likely that there are commerically available and assembled
products that either do exactly what you want or something similar.
I've come across clock/timing devices with PC interfaces, as
well as general purpose displays with PC interfaces. It would be
worth investigating.

Various companies make "electronic kits", "hobby kits", "learning
kits", or whatever you want to call them... kits with all the parts and
instructions you need to assemble some simple electronic device.
If you google hard you'll find led clocks, timers, programmable
displays, displays that interface with PC ports, etc. One or more
of those kits might provide a starting point.

There are many websites where people document their school or
hobby projects. You should be able to find some websites that
contain usefull information on projects that have something in
common with yours. For example, people have interfaced all sorts
of things to their PC, and over the years I've run across quite a few
sites with detailed directions, schematics, parts lists, source code, etc.
If you find something close you can lift part of the HW design and/or
SW.

If there is a good library and/or bookstore near you, you should
be able to find not only books on electronic design basics, but
electronic "cookbooks" that have schematics for all sorts of basic
circuits.

Having said all that, the suggestion that you take this discussion to
an electronics newsgroup or web forum was truly the best one. For
there you are likely to find a higher percentage of people who have
the required experience, and hopefully interest and willingness to
guide you. When you introduce yourself, be sure to talk a little
about what hardware experience you have. Have you ever designed
something with integrated circuits and discrete components? Have
you ever selected and purchased all the parts, and wired them up on
a breadboard? Have you done board layout/routing, and made or
purchased a PCB? Also talk a little about what software development
experience you have. That way people can steer you in the best
direction.

Have fun.