> I'm new to this PIC stuff. I have programmed other chips, like FPGA and
> HC611, but I was wondering what if i could get a suggestion of a easy to
> build and use PIC Programming solution (Software & Hardware). It would
> be very helpful. I have listed the specs for the programmer
>
>
> Needs to work on XP Professional or Linux (prefer XP Pro)
> I would like it to program 16F and 18F if possible.
> It needs to be cheap
>
> That is all I can think of for specs, but if there any other questions
> just ask.
>

Well, I use and recommend a bootloader whenever possible. There are some
free ones available. Bootloader is cheap, easy, and best of all FAST.
Granted it doesn't work for all PICs, the 18F series and the 16F87x have no
problems with it though.

But you still need a programmer to initially load the bootloader software.
I use an Olimex PIC-PG2C. It uses the serial port in a non-standard way, so
you may have some issues with XP (but I've read other have used it without
problems) at about $13 US it's hard to go wrong.

I wouldn't use it as an everyday programmer, but you just need to use it
once (per chip) to load a bootloader.

-Denny

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