How to communicate with a hardware? NOOB here.

Hi guys!
I want to make a device that will send 1 or 0 OR true or false to the computer.
Here's the scenario.
I want to make that device,then when 1 or true is sent to my program in the computer(windowsXP), a sound will be playing. so the questions are:

(from a total noob)
How will I make that device?
How to connect it to the computer? (usb? or something else?)
How will my program communicate with that device?(i think, my program will only be listening inputs from the device.
The device must have 8 toggles(i mean, 8 peices of 1 or 0)

Please help me with this, I badly need it.
Thanks a lot.

by the way, I know how to program in vb6,c++(im a game developer).
I hope I can make this device. thanks a lot in advance.

What you are asking is not easy for total noob.
First, to make one such device, you need some wire, some switch, solder, soldering wire..... etc. MOST IMPORTANTLY, some sort of device that can convert your switch (true/false) into a signal that computer can understand. This usually can be achieved by certain IC. or, if you have lots of money, just buy a daq device that has at least 8bit digital in. either way, it is highly related to your second question. In short, you solder the device or you buy it.
Second, which I think it should be the first one, pick the interface you like. USB is not a bad choice these days but if you have a PCI daq card, than, you acquire your true and false data through PCI. lots of way to do.
Third to communicate with your DAQ system, it depends on which DAQ you choose. lots of DAQ support VB, some even use AT command (like talking with a modem).
In conclusion, if you want it fast, buy a USB DAQ that has VB class library already written by the manufacturer. If you want to learn how to make one from scratch, pick an IC, something like PIC18F2455/2550/4455/4550 will do. read the ~460 pages manual and you should be able to not only construct one of you dreaming controller, but also write the controller(receiver) program.
Good luck.