Duane Wood wrote :

> I am a software developer (Java, C++, C, ...) with
> some basic hobby experience breadboarding very simple
> circuits.  I want to get started with PICs, but I am
> having a tough time figuring out which chip,
> programmer, and compiler to use.

He he... :-) :-)
Well, let's see...

> What (I think) I want is:
> * a PIC using the newest CPU core -- i.e., 18Fxxx

Not a bad idea at all. You could even add an extra "x" for
the newer 18Fxxxx devices :-)


> * in circuit programming -- I don't like the thought
> of moving the chip around, breaking pins, etc.

Yep, ICSP is nice.

> * programmer software that runs on Windows XP

You realy mean the programmer SW (the part that talks
to the programmer HW), and not the development SW (like
MPLAB or MCC18) ?

> * an inexpensive C compiler

I'm an all ASM guy, sorry...
But wait, why not start with ASM after all ?
You'll learn a lot more about the PIC, and you will (usualy)
find it easier to get help on the PIClist. (Not that C-folks
are less helpfull, but it's often harder to tell what's wrong
when you don't have access to the actual compiled ASM code.
A short ASM code is often asier to read and debug.)


> * All this for under $200 -- otherwise my wife will
> make me pay in other ways :)

Hm, better keep it under $200 then...

>
> Am I asking too much?

I don't think so.

> Here are some options I am considering:
> 1. Wouter van Ooijen's Wisp628 programmer. Uses
> bootloader,...

It does not.
It uses a 16F628 with firmware, that you can get from
Wouter or just ask someone to program for you. The next
time you have to update the firmware, you just need an
extra blank 16F826. Don't bother about the fact that there
is a PIC inside, just regard the whole Wisp as a "tool"...

> ...but I have to get the bootloader
> programmed.  Also, I think I would have to use JAL.

Absolutly not. Wisp628 is "only" a programmer, it flashes
any HEX file no matter what tool was used to make it ASM,
Jal, C, Basic. (Even hand-assembled code would work, but
don't ask about *that* on the PIClist... :-) :-) )

> While this seems like a reasonable language, I would
> prefer not to learn another language.  Also, it
> doesn't sound like the programmer software for the PC
> supports Windows XP.

Win2K seems to be more common, but I don't know any
reason WinXP wouldn't work.

>
> I would greatly appreciate any help with my decision
> so I can get started.

You can get some input, but the decision will be yours only :-)

B.t.w, have you read http://www.voti.nl/swp/index.html  ??

Regards,
Jan-Erik

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