Help, I'm a world class computer programming genius yet I'm totally lost.

[ebarker]

very short winded answer.

open default project;
learn user_routines.c - used for default tele operation
learn user_routines_fast.c - used for hybrid/auton operation

download several kevin.org projects, like adc and encoder
carefully READ the readme.txt in these projects. they are precise and step by step.

use something like WINDIFF and examine the differences between the kevin projects and the default project. There you will see how he incrementally added features to the default project.

I use TREECOMP and WINDIFF to do deltas on the projects. There are other tools that do the same.

This is about the fastest quickstart I can think of for an experienced programmer. I would do all of that before jumping into processor datasheets and stuff. There is a LOT of framework that is already done. All you have to do is add your algorithms and go.