I must admit, this mail it's an excellent methode to learn from
other's ( or just from your's ) mistakes
My ideeas would be:

On Thu, 15 Aug 2002, Byron A Jeff wrote:

> design. After some discussion several points reached a state of consensus:
>
> * The product would be fully assembled, and not a kit.

Error. A beginner must spend some time to familiarize himself with the
components. There are a lot of people which can't make difference between
a resistor and a capacitor. I bet there are someone on the list too...
A beginner will be much happy when something made with his own hands will
work.
Let his joy open !

> * The PIC assembly would be the target language for development.

as you wish... there are other people which are doing the same for jal, c
or basic

> * The product would carry some type of breadboard prototyping.

this "some tipe" could be the standard 100 mili_inch metalised wholes.
and must fill at least one half ( or more ) of eurocard ( 160x100mm )

> * The product would have a mechanism for programming PIC parts

this is not really necessary. It's possible to create a less beatifuly
programmer than someone found already on the net, why to force the user to
cry ?
build a standard Tait lpt programmer, point to the user where are the best
available software and let him to choose !

> * The product would have some type of I/O expansion capability

right ! I'm just curious what kind of "some type" you'll invent...

> * The product will carry a CD composed of software, tutorial documentation, and
>   projects geared towards the novice to intermediate user.

this is the most difficult part, I must wish you good luck because it's a
lot of work to do here...

>
> However there has been considerable debate as to what specifications the
> product should be design toward. There are three basic forms proffered:
>
> * The traditional style inexpensive PIC programmer with one or more
>    programming sockets (Roman, Olin, Jason, Sean).

Without sockets on the standalone programmer ! ICSP for the beginners and
for the advanced. It's an important feature which someone forgot it. The same ICSP
style socket ( female of course ) on the PCB. Beginners will use always
only flash PICs.

> * A small assembled module, the PICbase, that consists of a PCB populated with
>   a PIC, regulator, oscillator, and I/O expansion and programming interface.
>   (Geert)

I'm disagree. A plugin module may be inserted on the prototype board as I
already said, in 21 different modes + connectors which will grow up the
price.

> * An all in one prototyping board, the PICLIST DESIGNER (PLD), that contains
>   a PIC16F877A, a set of common I/O devices, and I/O expansion port, and an
>   ICSP programming interface. (Byron)

I like this, but needs an 16F628 too, 877 is to difficult from the
very begining. I'll discard also the IO expansion port. Let only a numbers
of metalised wholes which will copy the PIC socket. What can do
a wrong designed expansion port you may see on Lascar's products.
Why to be angry on a socket when you can be the same looking at wholes ?


 The prelude:

I wish you success !

Vasile

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