The OP is very long, but I peered through it.. I'm assuming that the majority of it (the first part?) is mostly just about connecting without a computer to the side? I'm guessing I wouldn't have to deal with any of that when hooking up to an already-running computer? A bit overwhelmed by all the information

I currently have a linux box running BAMT with some GPUs for scrypt and am looking to buy 1-3 of these to hook up to it, is there anything specific I should know?

Don't want to splice any PSU cords, I have a power strip I could use - I guess to connect something like these? Would that work? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JRGOCM/

So as I already have a box set up, would hooking this up be as easy as connecting them via USB and connecting power to them via that external power adapter then tinkering with software?

Thanks!