Lots of comments in here from a bunch of responses...

First, seeing the responses reminded me of another feature that I conside=
r=20
essential and should've mentioned before ... ICSP.  I almost exclusively=20
program under ICSP nowadays, and would not be hurt if it did not even hav=
e a=20
socket for a chip.

Some thoughts on the responses...

- Wisp628 -- actually looked at this before posting my original message, =
but=20
did not see any reference to Linux support.  If I was sure it would work=20
under some Linux software, then this goes very high on the list.  I guess=
=20
that a lot of programmers today are "spoken with" in a common fashion, bu=
t=20
don't want to assume that it will work with just any SW.  John Nall claim=
ed=20
use under Linux..... John, what software are you using for this?

- IC-Prog SW -- I can't find any version for Linux, and there's no mentio=
n of=20
18F, which I'd really like to have.

- Devices -- Since I've seen some reference to AVR in my searches, I thin=
k=20
that would be nice to have, but not a hard requirement.  I'll leave it at=
 the=20
back of my mind for now.

- Warp-13 -- Again, I have not found any reference to programming under L=
inux.

- PS+ -- $$$   Since my Tait still works well, I'm wondering if I really =
need=20
to spend >$100 for an upgrade.  If I built the PS+ clone circuit, then=20
perhaps I could change to a Flash part to eliminate that upgradability is=
sue.

- Olin's programmer -- Proper project-management procedures & experience =
has=20
taught me to eliminate "future" products in any evaluation.  Olin, with a=
ll=20
due respect, whereas I respect your technical aptitude, your apparently-f=
irm=20
stand against Linux seems to eliminate this as even a future option.  Or =
do=20
you think that you will support Linux someday?

I will mention that I'm hard set on Linux since it has allowed me to put =
new=20
life into a once junked laptop w/o a hard-drive, etc.  I did try to use W=
in2k=20
programming SW in the past, but couldn't get the parallel-port device dri=
vers=20
loaded properly.  If it works under Win2k, then fine, but Linux is a must=
=2E

- PICkit 1 -- no reference to 18F, but I guess it should support the lowe=
r-end=20
18F's.  Anyone have some idea about this?

- MeLabs EPIC -- Is their SW free/downloadable?  I can't find it on their=
=20
site.

Cheers,
-Neil.

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic:
[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads