[ausev] DIY controller?

[evehicle4me at hischopsticks.org]

Wow!  I am glad that I have google to help me understand some of this stuff!

I want to throw a curve now... it seems to me that a controller (in  
basic form) is a huge potentiometer/relay.  Am I too far off the mark?

Is it possible to find a basic controller that has the ability to  
interface with a computer (i.e. notebook computer, not industrial chip  
on a board with no user interface) to perform the other tasks?  I know  
that there are programmable controllers on the market but there is a  
part of my heart that is truly "open source" and the idea of having  
something that the whole EV community can contribute to and improve  
(from experience) is very appealing to me.  I know this option might  
not save money up front but, in the long run, since motors last a long  
time, it is possible it would save money by being more upgradeable.