I aim to measure heart rates through the arduino using an infra red led and a IR phototransistor to detect the pulse in my finger. This creates a data list in the serial window. From there i need to transform the data into a visually identifiable wave form using processing, send the wave to Max/ Msp which can analyse the waves for peaks and troughs, and then control the speed of a captured sound file of waves crashing against the beach using the frequency of the heart beat. There is 10 days to do this. I am sort of hoping that its not quite as difficult as it sounds. I have discovered pachube. Any help or advice would be gold dust, thanks everyone.