At 08:39 17/02/99 +0000, you wrote:
>At 16:37 17/02/99 +1100, you wrote:
>>
>>The down side is the cost and occasionally you hear of people having comms
>>problems with it. I don't think that is common though.
>>
>>Jim
> It's more common than you think. However, it is not usually caused by the
>PICSTART plus. Microchip's on going development of the MPLAB software often
>makes things that 'did work', stop working. They do fix things though. But

I cannot argue, only suggest that the message of common must relate to units
sold. I would have thought many, many picstart pluses have been sold. I don't
see a disproportional number of complaints, however this  doesn't mean the
distributors are coping flack behind the scene. The picstart plus looks
well designed to me and doesn't cut a single corner with the programming
specs. I would be keen to know more on the picstart plus reliability...

>downloading the latest beta version of MPLAB every time is a pain in the ass.

A very, very big one at that and a turn off from the picstart plus. Using
MPLAB
every time ot program a pic is also a pain, that is why I use my own driver.

>I use and sell the P16pro. It represents superb value for money.

Well I disagree on "superb." Numerous people have promoted this programmer
without a mention of the software registration of USD$20. This makes it a
USD$45 dollar programmer and at that price it is good value but still worth
looking around.

(Then there is the issue of the mistakes in the device file that haven't been
corrected.)

>I have also emailed Jim for details on his MPLAB interface for this
>product. When I can get my hands on that, I will have the best of both
>worlds. [HEY JIM, are you listening?]

I'm always listening. but I don't have a magic wand. Things are progressing
slowly. I am aiming for a no bugs release but maybe there are some questions
involved before I start interfering in someone else's business. I think people
should register their software first.

Jim


>Rgds...
>
>...Andy
>
________________________________________
Jim Robertson
Email: newfound@pipeline.com.au
http://www.pipeline.com.au/users/newfound
MPLAB compatible PIC programmers and firmware
upgrades for many programmers.
________________________________________