You can simply plug the flotilla dock into a PC and write some python programs to get at the ascii values returned in plain-text.
Have a read of Phil’s book here:
https://gadgetoid.gitbooks.io/flotilla-protocol/content/index.html
I’ve managed to re-use most of the flotilla modules by using a simple, cheap USB breakouts.
No advertising, something like this:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B07TVHR9LF/?coliid=I1C7D1SVTRONUJ&colid=216DE61PQZ5MN&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
If you solder on some header pins you can use the 5-pin breakout garden adapters to plug in a blue flotilla cable and attach a module. Ignore the ID pin you only need power (5v), gnd, d- (SDA) and d+ (SCL).
Make sure you get the usb breakout the right way round. Look for the ground pin. There is no clever reverse-power protection as on the pimoroni breakouts.
All the flotilla modules are driven by i2c. But here is where it gets tricky. You have to work out which kind of driver you need for each module and which registers do what.
I did work all of this out a long time ago, and I will first have to find all my notes and scattered code again!
Sadly although flotilla was very innovative at the time, it quickly became redundant when all the qwiic, stemma and the pimoroni breakouts themselves came along.
As you wrote it is just such a waste to throw this stuff away and not re-use it somehow.