> ~$5 for an FTDI serial or parallel USB chip and a
> handful of cheap
> passive components will get you a USB interface for
> your PIC... what's
> so painful about that? Then you can do whatever you
> want on both the
> PIC and PC side of things.

Well, as far as I can tell, that FTDI chip is only
available for surface mount.  Then on top of that, to
order it typically requires a minimum order, and then
shipping costs and duty (I'm in Canada).

Also, from what I was reading, that FTDI chip requires
some type of virtual comm port driver to be installed
whereas a usb mouse already has a driver built-in to
Windows.

> You can also get pre-made
> USB modules that
> plug into a DIP socket, syou can even transfer them
> from PIC board to
> PIC board or use in a solderless protoboard

This sounds interesting, who makes these?  They
probably cost a decent penny, no?

> solderless protoboard (Ugh...
> these things should
> be outlawed for most uses, but that's another
> subject).

Bah, they're fine if you're a broke-ass non-engineer
type.  If I was doing anything for pay, I would agree,
since I'd probably make proper boards.

Thanks for the input though, I would love to find out
more about these USB DIP modules if you get a chance.

Peace


=====
MJ Brush
LeftClick.ca Internet Media Services
mbrush@[NOSPAM]leftclick.ca

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