having an itouch already, that seems like the best option if I go the portable OS way. I would still like to experiment with the maple, or an equivalent with more ram (any suggestions?)...
I think I have enough from this forum (thanks to all) to start twiddling around with stuff, so I'll do that and report back. Of course, if you have any relevant info, please share!
Also, I emailed cycling 74 hoping for some cryptic way to get code out of MaxMSP. Or get them to make it a thing in Max 6