Check out my AtmoDuinoSync script. Set the timer to 0 to make it work as per any other. You will find it does not break up data like the original seems to.
I messed about following along with the ambilight project and the strings of 12mm WS2801 lights which seemed to work from the pi, so I assumed the rings would work too, but as it's all so new to me I wasn't sure.
I guess what I would ideally like a a small colour changeable set of LEDs that I can have change with the time of day, but I want to avoid strings or long strips of lights as I want to pack it into a small space and have it on a book shelf. Kind of a cross between a baby's night light and a sunrise lamp. That's why the neopixel ring looked so good, but unless it 'just works' I'll have to find something else :/
Can anyone point me to something suitable for what I need?