See about purchasing the programmer/development tool from Parallax. Part #PICPGM-ND in Digi-Key. It's a good, fast way to get started. Buy a few of the PIC 16C5X series ucontrollers (EPROM configuration), also from Digi-Key, to ge started with the basics. Then graduate to the 6X's, 7X's and newer ones. My personal favorite is the PIC 66. As you get more familiar with them make your life easier by purchasing the ClearView Mathias emulator from TechTools and familiarize yourself with the TechTools assembler instruction set. Personal opinion I >>> on such small ucontroller like PIC's stay away from C, stick to assembly. Assembly is not hard and is very compact and powerful. Personal opinion II >>>> also stick with Digi-Key (see about opening an account). Few vendors are as reliable, friendly and as easy to work with. I also highly rate TechTools for their good products and very easy and quick phone help Cheers -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.