Dear Sir (Madam)!

I'm "old-timer" Power Electronics Engineer originally from Europe. For
the past 5 years I've been working as the vice-president (R&D)  for
Canadian public company LUMION CORPORATION. Our company is in the
business of developing and manufacturing of lighting related products
(electronic ballasts, programmable dimmers, lighting controls etc.). So
far I've been using only linear and logic ICs for our products along with
the power discrete components and analog electronics. We are successfully
selling our products in North America and Europe and constantly extending
our product line. But time goes by and I don't want to loose our leading
edge position in this very competitive business. That's why I came to
realization that it is time to implement in our designs very cost
effective PIC microprocessors. It is not easy task for me to start
learning everything about PICs and BASIC STAMPs but I have no choice! I
tried to find literature for beginners in PICs, but I could not find one.
Recently I found your WEB page and was amazed how well developed this
topic is! But I still don't know were to start! (I have "0" knowledge in
microprocessors). That's why I decided to write you and ask for your
HELP. I have required budget to purchase necessary literature,
programmers, emulators, components etc. as long as I understand  what is
needed and where is the shortest path to the knowledge of  PIC's
practical implementations. I also don't quite understand the difference
between PICs and BASIC STAMPs. Is it possible to start programming and
modelling with BASIC STAMPs and then translate the code to PIC
microprocessor for the cost reduction? (As I understood so far, PICs are
cheaper but more difficult to programm). Any way, I have a million
questions and great desire to learn and implement PICs in our products!
Please HELP me to start!

P.S. I hope you did not have much trouble with my English.

Alex Bogdan, PhD
Lumion Corporation
Vice-President
4101 Weston Road,
WESTON (TORONTO),
ONTARIO, CANADA
M9L 1W6
Office Tel. (416) 745-6178 ext.231
Office Fax. (416) 745-9935
Remote Lab: (905) 951-3632
Remote Lab Fax: (905) 951-1777
e-mail: lumion@passport.ca
home e-mail: abogdan@passport.ca