> You do have a problem.  No matter what you buy, you need to 
> consider it "throw-away".

Which is an economic attitude. The OP stated 'below $100-$150'. Entry
level intelligent programmers can be had for < $60. So the OP can buy
one now, and save the remainder to buy a next one should the need arise.

> The USB programmers all require proprietary software, and at 
> some point the vendor will loose interest in the product

> Small suppliers like Olin and Wouter provide nice, 
> inexpensive programmers
> that are supported pretty well.  These are small guys, 
> though, and although
> they provide quite good support, you are dependent on them 
> taking interest
> in a particular part, and they are probably at fairly high 
> risk of going out
> of business tomorrow.

But both provide the sources too, so there is nothing that prevents you
(or someone else) to extend the software. In fact there is a range of
third-party PC software for my Wisp628, and someone took Olin's firmware
and ported it to the Wisp628 hardware!

Wouter van Ooijen

-- -------------------------------------------
Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products
docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: www.voti.nl/hvu
 

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