I AGREE.............
ot of box experience is the worst in the need to build semi-comps big
again,,,,,
look at the market some months ago
crying to  bed they were...............
new in a rut?
are they foreign owned?
seems like the GOV.    makes us suffer when we give secrets to all
other............
no more comment.........
----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Oliver <eric@KEDCOENT.COM>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 1999 11:45 PM
Subject: Re: Getting Started


> Finally, something I can give my opinion on <g> !
>
> I am also a newbie who knows very little about uCs and electronics in
> general.  I chose the PicStart Plus for several reasons and here they are
> <g> :
>
> 1) It has the MicroChip name on it.  This may seem stupid, but from a
> newbie standpoint, I figure if MicroChip can't get it right, then who can
> <g>.
>
> 2) Unsure of which PICs I'll be using, the PS+ supports most if not all of
> the PIC line.
>
> 3) Intergrates with MPLAB making it easy for me to use.
>
> 4) The price isn't bad. As a comparison, Jameco sells a Parallax
programmer
> that doesn't support all the chips the PS+ does for $120. Plus for some of
> the chips you need a 40 pin ZIF adapter which will set you back another
> $60. And from what I see, it doesn't support the 17CXX devices. ( Not
> bashing the Parallax programmer here, guys ). The PS+ cost me about $200
> IIRC.
>
> 5) Free firmware updates.
>
> The reasons I chose not to build my own programmer :
>
> 1) Being an electronics newbie I wasn't confident in my ability to
> troubleshoot the project if I had problems.
>
> 2) Most only support a narrow range of PICs and I wasn't sure which PICs I
> will work with.
>
>
> There are other reasons but the short of it is : I figured if I was going
> to learn about PICs and electronics, the last thing I needed was to be
> wondering if I was doing something wrong or if it was my programmer. The
> PS+ is simple and has support.
>
> Note that I am not bashing DIY programmers. In fact, I would like to build
> my own someday just to see if I can.
>
> I have both Easy PIC'n and PIC'n Up the Pace.  They are good books but I
> can't recommend them. 1) I think they're kind of expensive and second
there
> is no way to get the code listings in the book.  You have to hand enter
> them.  I know, I know, I'm lazy but I would rather spend time stepping
> through the code or trying to make my circuit work than keying in
mistakes.
>
> I believe Myke Predko has a book that is recommended often on this list.
>   It's on my list of things I need to buy. www.myke.com is the link and
the
> book is "Programming and Customizing the PIC Microcontroller".  From his
> website it appears the book contains a design for a DIY programmer.
>
> HTH,
> Eric
>
> On Wednesday, May 26, 1999 4:15 PM, Nathan Bean
[SMTP:natebean@HOTMAIL.COM]
> wrote:
> > I'd like to get started in PIC microcontrollers.  However, I don't know
> > which programmer I should get.  Is the PicStart Plus worth the money or
> > should I get another type (or homebrewed).  Also, what would you
> recommend
> > for a good book?  Easy Pic'n, maybe???
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________________________
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