Context: the stellaris launchpad is a Cortex-M4 based development board which TI were selling at 2 for $5. If you don't know what that means it's basically an ARM arduino.
Like everyone else I ordered the limit of 2 boards and six months later I received them, having forgotten the plans I originally had for their use, so this article is a welcome kick up the arse to actually use some of the toys in my drawer.