I think that C is for the pros and qbasic has been long dead by now. If you have to use basic use visual basic which has some serial port support built in.
If you know c, c++ why bother with basic or visual basic! if you don't know c learn c and forget about basic, basic language is only for kids, it will teach you bad programming habbits which you try to forget when you learn C.
Hope I wouldn't start a war by this especially with Rob!
Regards
Mahmood