I've been doing this for a couple years or so, and it seems to be working 
out okay -- but I think I know why the others may have stopped offering the 
programming service...

Sometimes I mention it on my website at www.glitchbuster.com but when I'm 
really busy (like the last few months), I temporarily hide the offer.  I am 
always willing to do the programming if someone asks, but I don't 
"advertise" it during times when I'm trying to avoid further increases in my 
workload.  :o)  The notice should be back on the website in 2 or 3 weeks, 
since things will soon be calming down some.

Since this service is usually provided to "newbies" there is typically a bit 
of discussion before I have enough information to correctly program the PIC. 
Often I need to visit the website where the project info is located to make 
sure the configuration settings are correct (or are embedded correctly in 
the .hex file).  And sometimes there are follow-up questions after the PIC 
is received by the customer.  I don't want to be a jerk and say "you only 
paid for programming, not free consulting," but it's a fine line between 
being a little helpful to a newbie vs. wishing I had not agreed to program 
the PIC.

I never know how much "hand holding" will be required until it's over, but 
on average it's definitely more time consuming than just burning a .hex file 
into a PIC and shipping it.  I generally charge a fee of $5, plus a little 
more if they want more than a couple pieces programmed.  That's assuming 
it's the same setup; if different .hex files are involved it's considered a 
new project for each one.

Typically they buy the PICs from me at the same time, but I've had customers 
ship PICs to me in small production quantities (low 100's) for programming 
as well.  Usually they are shipped directly from the distributor to my 
location, and then to my customer when they are done (typically within a day 
or two).  If they buy the PICs from me, the shipping is my usual $1.85 per 
order in the US.  If the PICs are shipped to me by the customer I don't 
provide subsidized shipping, of course, but it's very reasonable via USPS 
Priority Mail.

Either way, the PICs are always handled with strict ESD procedures, and 
packed with quality anti-static materials.  As far as I know, every 
programmed PIC I've shipped has worked fine -- with the correct config 
settings, etc.

If the list of suppliers offering this service on the piclist website is 
being updated, I'd be happy to have my info included.

Thanks,

-Randy
www.glitchbuster.com






> Where can a kid get a PIC loaded with a HEX file for whatever so he 
> doesn't
> have to build a programmer to get started with robots or whatever?
>
> We used to have a few listed at
> http://www.piclist.com/techref/microchip/progserv.htm but they all seem to
> have stopped doing it.
>
> ---
> James Newton: PICList webmaster/Admin
> mailto:jamesnewton@piclist.com  1-619-652-0593 phone
> http://www.piclist.com/member/JMN-EFP-786
> PIC/PICList FAQ: http://www.piclist.com

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