Here are some links regarding the concept of friction:
http://photon.iyte.edu.tr/PhysicsNet/Topics/Dynamics/Forces/FrictionalForce.html
http://master.ph.utexas.edu/CTC/TMelching/modules/intro.html
Here are some links regarding the hardware and software:
http://www.compumotor.com/
- Compumotor, maker of the computer-controlled motor
http://www.compumotor.com/manuals/1020/CPlus.htm
- Compumotor Plus
TM
User Guide
http://www.compumotor.com/support_samples.htm
- Compumotor Support and Sample Files
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio
- Microsoft Visual Studio Home Page
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic
- Microsoft Visual Basic Home Page
http://www.pasco.com
- PASCO Homepage, maker of the photo gate and photo gate timer