Ok, I am looking into the world of electronics and I really like doing
this sort of stuff.  Let me warn you...I'm only 16 and you're probably
thinking I should have some socializing to do or something, but...well you
get the point.  I have purchased a basic stamp and constructed the
programming mechanism for it and have built several of the application
note projects as well as some of my own.  This included the serial A/D
which I was very proud of because I interfaced it to my calculator (HP
48G) (sorry about that, I just had to tell someone about that who might
somewhat appreciate it).  Anyway, I have been looking at other
microcontolers, and I have been thinking about purchasing a pic
programmer.  If I do get one, what would you guys (and gals, gotta be
P.C.) recommend
that I get, I have been searching around web sites, and I found some good
stuff at ITU technologies, one of them being a "Warp 3" programmer that
claims to program everything (for around $130) and a less expensive one
that doesn't program
those exotic ones like the 14000 and what-not ($50).  Any hoo, I was also
wondering, do all of the pics have a serial out command (like pbasic's
serout), because if I get the cheaper one, it will only program 18 pin
chips, which according to Digi-Key, none of them include these serial
features. I HAVE to have that feature.  Digi-Key is real vague with some
of these things if you know what I mean.  Then once I get a programmer,
what pic should I use?  I am somewhat attracted to the ones with the
A/D converters on them just because I use a lot of sensors in my
projects (I.E. hall effect transducers, mics, this neat-o thing
called a pulse amplifier, I rigged up one of the school's pH probe
to my calc set up, etc.). Well, as seasoned picers I'm sure you
might have a little advice and I would appreciate any of it.

sicerely

Jonathan