> Hi,
>
> I have used the 8051 before and I am trying to decide which PIC device
> to use in a project. I know that I will need a serial port and I prefer
> a PIC that uses EEPROM program memory (too lazy to use UV erasable
> chips). The relatively new 16F877 seems ideal, but the old programmer
> that I got doesn't support it. Someone told me that I could use one of
> the older chips (perhaps the 16C84) and use a "widely available" routine
> that would convert two pins of a parallel port for RS232 comms. I
> searched the microchip web site but couldn't find anything.
>
> Can anyone please confirm this information. If it is possible to use 2
> pins of a parallel port for RS232 where can I find the routine? And is
> it easy to use? Thanks a lot.
>
> Luis.

I think you are a bit confused.  Some PIC's (notably the 16C84 and 16F84) can be programmed serially via the parallel port, but this has *nothing* to do with RS232!

What you are after is a standard "Tait" type programmer, and they are indeed common and widely available.  In fact, visit almsot any PIC related web site and you won't fail to trip over a few designs.  Get yourself to http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~donmck/dtait/index.html for a good list of designs and software.  There are also quite a few kits available,e.g. http://www.dontronics.com/ has this type of programmer built into he SIMM Sticks.

Cheers

Mike