Mayes uk wrote:
>
> In message  <2.2.32.19970502051037.009933c8@alfred.ccs.carleton.ca>
>  PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU writes:
> > Today I asked my supplier if the rumor about PIC pricing was true.  He
> > hadn't heard anything about it, but told me he would check.
snip---

> Based on Andy's report, it looks like Microchip want to move
> people over to the new (essentially) compatible parts. So they
> can presumably stop production of the old ones.
> I guess that the price differential between the old and new
> parts is their encouragement for you to make the move.
> Regards,
> Mike Watson

Yes I have to agree, and it's the way to do it, but did I (and others)
miss this information being released? Couldn't find a mention on the MC
home page.

I know Andy W. has a good eye on the prices, so I'm very pleased he made
us all aware of these current trends.

I don't think my local dealer knew of this when he told me the price of
the C84 had risen dramatically. I guess I now try him for prices and
availability on the F84 devices.

I know the Phoenix PICSTART, and Newfound Warp-3, and PP1 PIC Programmer
upgrades will cater fot the F84 'minor' diffrences.

BUT what about all the "David Tait" style programming software that is
around?
If C84 parts cease production, I know there is now perhaps up to 100 odd
versions
of programming software available and very little of it will truly
handle the F84.

Short of quoting the specs in full, here is a short summary of the
differences:

|16F84 has PWRTE bit reversed (like ALL newer parts) when compared to
the
|16C84. All the spare config word bits in the 16F84 are used for code
|protection. The effect of code protecting a 16F84 is different from a
16C84.
|
|(If you want to know the esoterica of it all download the programming
specs
|from the microchip web page but it usually is of little interest to the
|"man in the street.")
|
|Programming wise, you can program the 16F84 as a 16C84. Remember to
reverse
|the PWRTE bit and don't expect code protection to be the same.
|Source - Jim Robertson - Newfound Electronics.

I guess it's time for us all to start thinking of the PIC16C84 as a
dinosaur now, if this is the direction MicroChip is going. I know it's
an assumption on both Mike Watson's and my behalf, but that's what I
would do if I was MC.

Comments MC?

If this is true, it's "good news/good news". Simply adjust your
programming drivers.
You know you have to sooner or later. :)

Don McKenzie  don@dontronics.com   http://www.dontronics.com

PICSTART and Newfound PIC Programmers Firmware Upgrades.
SLI, the serial LCD that auto detects baud rates from 100 to 125K bps.
SimmStick(tm) A PIC proto PCB the size of a 30 pin Simm Memory Module.
Send a blank message to help@dontronics.com for more info.