I also have had problems figuring out MPLAB. So far I don't see any reason
to use it, other than for the picstart programmer that I have. I am not an
idiot, so perhaps MPLAB is just too "intuitive" for me :-)

On the several occasions that I have followed the tutorial, it seems that
I have to do a whole lot of mouse-clicking and menu-pulling and
filling-in-the-boxes just to assemble a simple file. Forget the simulator,
I've never managed to see anything happening, though it appears to be
running.

So I use MPLAB just for running the picstart programmer, and use MPASMWIN
for assembling. I rarely use a simulator, but when I do, I find the old
DOS MPSIM much easier to figure out, with its one page of commands.

I have yet to use an incircuit emulator, but since MPLAB is the interface
for the two Microchip models, I think I'll get a Mathias or a Rice or one
of the others, when that day comes. So far most of my code works without
much hassle and an emulator hasn't been needed.

Perhaps I don't love computers enough? I am rather tired of computers.
They seem to get in the way of work sometimes.

Happily productive with old tools and a bit of a curmudgeon,
Cheerfully,
Not alone in my dislike of hard to use tools,
Bob