Justin Grimm wrote:

> Does anyone have experience with the PbasicPRO compiler?
> Is it worth getting, and does it support all the functions of the
> PIC?

My two pence:

I have found that MEL's products are functionaly OK, but that the people
working there have been less than helpful on more than one occasion.

They claimed that their assembler was "compatible" with MPASM, but after
repeated inquiries into problems compiling MPASM code (out of books, off
the net, etc.) I was told to just quit using their compiler (and
supposedly just quit bothering them) and use MPASM.  Not a great
recommendation for their product or their product support!  Their
documentation leaves a lot to be desired IMO and seems to be little more
than a tacked-on afterthought.

As an example of their lack of interest after they have my money, I wrote
to their tech support via E-mail on the 22 of May and as of this writting
have heard nothing back.  How would you feel if your project was stalled
and you had no reply from them for eight days (and counting)?

And this makes three unanswered E-mails to them at this time -- although,
to be fair, two were sent on the 22nd about the same problem and the
other was a non-critical inquiry.

They sell functional products at a low price, and perhaps don't have the
headroom to provide much support.  But in that case it should have been
made clear to the prospective buyer that they were buying a "vagrant
product" (no visible means of support).  My feeling is that, had I built
David Tait's excellent programmer for free, I would have gotten more
response from David then I am getting from MEL.

I, for one, will not buy anything else from them after these experiences,
and I cannot recommend that anyone else buy from them.

Just my two pence.  Your mileage may vary.

Michael

REMOVE THE .NS (NO SPAM) FROM MY ADDRESS TO REPLY
*************************************************************************When th
e way of the Tao is forgotten, kindness and ethics must be taught.
Men must learn to pretend to be wise and good.  --  Lao Tzu
*************************************************************************