The whole goal is to understand digital logic. I have a 7 Step system for learning electronics.
Analog components (555 timer, OP AMP, etc)
Robot (spagetti 2.0)
Digital Logic (nand gates, etc)
Robot (in the works)
Analog and Digital Logic
Robot(jeeperz maybe, see robotic forum)
Microcontrollers and above (integrating analog, digital and microcontrollers)
Robot (SUMO BOT!!!)
I am just now making the transision into digital logic, so I am still a basic learner. I will learn other components on the way also.
As I move down (or up if your a positive person
) the ladder of electronics, I will eventually get into microcontrollers, but first I want to learn other ways of accomplishing the same task.