> $200 for a programmer that you know will work is cheap,

Then just get the Microchip Picstart+ and be done with it.  It covers the
full product line, is integrated into MPLAB, and is supported by Microchip.
For professional work this is a no brainer.  We have several around here,
although we get them for $100.

However, I think the problem is many hobbyists don't want to spend that kind
of money.  They want something cheap, cheap, cheap, and are willing to spare
no expense to get it <g>.  They find some flaky parallel port programmer
schematic on the web and try to build it because it takes 1 transistor and 2
resistors less than the next programmer design.  Then they get into trouble
for a variety of reasons.  It was exactly such a case that started this
discussion.


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Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts
(978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com

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