Control a vex with a laptop?

[antiNeo]

Have any of you ever tried controlling a vex with a laptop? I'm digging through the default vex code right now, but is it possible to receive commands from the computer's serial interface as well as send messages to it? I wonder if it's as simple as a scanf function, but unfortunately I don't have a vex on me to try it at the moment.

I ask this because I realized that my laptop, an Asus EeePC, is the perfect size for the job. That brings up another question... is it possible to use the serial interface under Linux? My laptop is running Kubuntu. I've interfaced with Cisco routers under Linux, which use the rollover cables and serial adapter, so I don't think it'll be any different...

Anyway, if I get this working, my laptop has wifi and a webcam, not to mention a screen, speakers, and USB interfaces. This might be fun.

Now I just gotta steal my brother's vex kit while he's not around...