Hi Aaron,

I'm also a newbie to PICs (just a few months) and think that Myke's
book is great.  Don't try for in depth understanding in the first
seven chapters ... speed read 'til you get to Chapter 8, go to Radio
Shack (if that is your only choice), but the parts he recommends,
and dive into breadboarding!  Later you can go back and read (and
reread) the first seven chapters.

If you want a slower start with more hand holding, then you might
want to take a look at David Benson's "Easy PIC'n" ... but _DO_ start
breadboarding right away.

Also you should take a look at Prof. Peter Anderson's site.  I used
his BASIC Stamp Started Kit to learn the stamp, and have since
purchased a few components from him ... always a good experience.
My assumption is that his Starter Package for PIC Newcomers is as
good or better than the Stamp package.
     http://www.phanderson.com/PIC/
In many cases his prices for parts are equal to or lower than you
can find elsewhere (for small quantities), and he makes NO profit.
The profits from his sales go to lab equipment/course materials
for his students.

Don McKenzie has a lot of PIC materials on his site at:
     http://www.dontronics.com
A worthwhile stop for for any PIC user, especially if you are
looking for an inexpensive compiler.

Enjoy,
 - Nick -


Aaron Hammett wrote:
>
>   I think I got in over my head with this one so far. I bought Myke's book
> last fall "Programming and Customizing PICs" and got through about half of it
> (totally confused, too) before realizing I needed a programmer. I regained a
> bit of bravery THIS fall and bought the YAP programmer from Wirz Elec. I'm
> the kind of person that would like to know exactly WHAT I'm trying to learn
> before I just dive in to breadboarding this thing and making an LED flash. I
> realized that I am going to have to learn some kind of code to program this
> thing, and I don't know where to start. I have downloaded MPASM, but don't
> know if that is what I write programs in...but then again, I don't know what
> goes where and so on...
>
>   Do I need any other books or like a college course in computer
> programming?? I used to program BASIC a lot as a kid, and I understand
> strings and variables and all, but this looks a lot more confusing.  I'm not
> completely clueless about electronics as I have designed LOTS of stuff in the
> analog audio realm (amplifiers, crossovers, EQ's) and I'm a repair tech for a
> car stereo shop (which is a big reason why I chose the PIC, because there are
> a lot of apps in car audio that could use something like this marvel). But
> trying to make the connection between hardware, software and what I want it
> to do is just a little more than frustrating....but I can't bring myself to
> going back to BCD counters and 555 timers (gag).
>
>   So if there's anyone out there that isn't going to tell me I need to buy a
> $500 C++ assembler and has some advice (even if it's like "you're outta your
> mind, you stupid kid" (I'm 23) ) I'm open to suggestion.
>
>   TIA to all!
>
> Aaron