[snip]
> > 2. support for 3rd party programmers, esp. the direct from
> > parallel port kind.
> This is a possibility.  Whoever makes these, contact me at
> darrel.johansen@microchip.com and we can discuss.  I know
> the PICSTART Plus interface has been hacked --with that data,
> just about anyone could hook into the interface.
[snip]

most(all?) parallel port programmers are based on AN589 with some
variations:

inverters instead of buffers (so you would need the option to be able to set
normal or inverted outputs.

different lines used for outputs and inputs, a nice example of what
parameters you would need and how to present this to the user is written by
Nigel Goodwin "wpicprog" that you can download from
http://www.lpilsley.demon.co.uk/programs.htm

Peter van Hoof