anyone know how to hook motors to you computer?

You need to get a relay interface. There are some types that are on a PCI card and you install directly into your PC while there are others that that plug into the serial port of the computer. The interface has multiple output voltage terminals so that you can control multiple devices like motors, lights, etc..

You will need a driver board for your motor, you will need software to run the driver board. Many variables also! The board you use would have to withstand the current your motor or device would use. It also depends on what type of motor you want to run! AC, DC , stepper motor, synchroneous motor, etc. You best bet is to decide what you want to do first and then study up! Look into pic controllers!

How approximately an analog microcontroller? i'd say that this precisely is robotics. the least confusing way i understand of to try this would be to purchase an Allen Bradley "%." controller, a %. of direction then you definately would be making use of your computing gadget to software the %.'s computing gadget which might run the motor.

Sorry, can't help you. I use 2 hamsters and a wheel for my computer.

IEEE488 interface

that sounds really weird at first... try going to Radio Shack