After reading messages about the PICSTART on this list over the last
year or so, I think I will buy a PICSTART 16B-1.  I am making the decision
partly on the fact that a lot of people seem to be using this programmer and
the fact that you get a lot of documentation, software, and a sample PIC
to experiment with as well as a good programmer.

        Is the programmer board already assembled or do you have to do that?

        I know that the 16B-1 does not program all the PICS that the 16C
does and visa versa, but what am I truly missing by getting the 16B-1 instead
of the 16C?

        Messages dated back about 8 or 9 months ago say that the software
used with the PICSTART runs fine on an old PC with monochrome display adapter.
That is precisely what I plan to install this system on.  Is today's software
still text and DOS-friendly?

        Are there any 40-pin adapters for the 16B-1, yet?

        I want to thank many people on this list for sharing their ideas
and knowledge.  I will do the same as I actually began to program PIC's.

        Finally, is Digi-Key still a good place to order PIC's?  Where is a
good place to order the PICSTART?

        Have a prosperous New Year.

Martin McCormick 405 744-7572   Stillwater, OK
OSU Center for Computing and Information services Data Communications Group