>I am very eager to get started in this PIC stuff.  I bought "programming
>and customizing PICmicro microcontrollers" by Myke Predko and "PIC
>micrcontroller project book" by John Iovne and read as much as could
>handle.  I learn better hands on.  So I would like to start playing but
>it appears the first thing I need to do is but a programmer.  I am
>looking at the PICStart Plus or thinking about building the El Cheapo.
>But before I made a move I was hoping to get some input from the ones
>already doing this.  I am completely new to al this and I am looking far
>any and all input.  Are there better books or websites to read is there
>other things I need to be aware of or other programmer solutions?

        Bill, the best way to get started in pic is:

        1 - a "crab sheet" of all the commands - their names are complicated (hard=
 to remember btfss and like till ya get used to) and helps to have the=
 correct syntax on hand
        2 - a good protoboard
        3 - a 4 MHz crystal and some capacitors - since the oscilator frequency of=
 the pic is divided by four, it becomes easier to calulate timmings in=
 1/1.000.000 of a sec.
        4 - a good 5vcc power supply
        5 - some (2 or 3) 16F84 - these are "the best beginner's company". After=
 mastering it you go to the 12 bit part and a/d / pwm / uart parts.
        6 - patience. Lots of.
        7 - MPLAB - can be big and ugly, but it's a LOT helpful for beginners
        8 - NOPPP - search for it - one of the simplest and dumb's proof=
 programmers avaiable on the net
        9 - A GOOD windows software for it
        10 - a "standard header" for pic programming. Something that makes you=
 only type code.

        First you do the all-that-programs-in-asm-did-once program to flash a led.=
 After that you flashes 2 leds one at a time, and after make a 1 2 3 4=
 sequencing. It's easy, and you learn on the way. I did this way, and was=
 funny (after catching the RISC concept). I hope you have fun too :o)


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Alexandre Souza
taito@terra.com.br
http://planeta.terra.com.br/lazer/pinball/

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