> So would basic stamps be more useful to people who don't know how to
> program in the assembly or are the just more convient cause they have the
> on board power regulator and what not?

Yes.

The stamp language is easier to program in than assembly.  The stamp
hardware is ready-to-go - just connect wires to the appropriate I/O signals.
The stamp programming environment is simpler than OTP or FLASH based
controller chips - it plugs directly into your PC, no "programmer" required.
It's pretty great for "quick", but not so hot for "cheap." (it's also not
very good for "fast" WRT processor speed.) On the bright side, if you DO
design a project around a stamp, you can get cheaper versions (ie chip only
rather than the whole PCB) and design the HW to go with it "later."  In that
case, you'll only be 3 times or so as expensive as a bare PIC (Maybe - I
recall an ~$9 price for preprogrammed basic stamp I PIC chip in moderate
quantities.)

BillW