An important step in the separate computer process would be getting python to talk through the serial module using the serial.py module,
From there, using Kevin Watson's serial code through the Programming Port, the FRC will have a basic library (API) of commands like turn motor 1 on (#), turn relay 2 off, etc...
The API could be very similar to IFI's serial packet structure,
With a decent serial API for the RC, most everyone can use python in an interactive manner, robot go forward, robot go backward, etc...
python is a really easy to use language (which can be your first language)
check out this introduction video,
http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/pyBiblio/pythonvideo.php
Then after a basic serial interface between a laptop and FRC, we can consider integrating the FRC into a player/stage client which can use a 2D/3D simulator for people who do not have access to the robot. If we can achieve simulation level, suddenly code development becomes fantastic!, just look at a few of the neural net/ AI programs written for player/stage.
jdong, if you would like to discuss this else where, send me an email,
lyncas@gmail.com
~Andrew