Why not just get a Microchip ICD2.  It programs virtually everything 
Microchip makes.
You can make or buy an adaptor for DIP parts.  If your board is designed 
appropriately,
it works great as an in-circuit programmer, and you get a debugger to boot.
Because it works off USB, you can  use it with the new laptops that 
don't have
serial ports.

Charles Linquist


Herman Aalderink wrote:

> John,
>
> (after doing a lot of reading I conclude)
> There's too much focus on programmer hardware.
>
> The 'cutting edge' is in the software.  (so you got some great answers 
> already)
>
> There are MANY controller types and sizes now. It's impossible to 
> cover (study) all.
> Try to make an educated guess on what you want to achieve (what
> projects, what controllers).
>
> Look if the (updated) software supports your chosen controllers.
> If yes (quite likely), you have all you need. Put your money in an old 
> sock for that programmer that is still to be invented (they are coming 
> for sure!).
>
> The most asked question is not about (obsolete) hardware but "Is
> controller so-and-so supported?"
> The cutting edge is in the software.
>
> Herman in PHL.
>
> John Nall wrote:
>
>> I've been gone from the Piclist for a couple of years (had to go out
>> into the cruel world and earn some money) and am just now ready to get
>> back into the swing of things.  I have been reading the mail for
>> awhile (as befits such a humble person) and looks like a lot of new
>> things out there.  When I left, I had a Wisp628 programmer, which I
>> thought was just fine and dandy.  But I feel sure that technology has
>> passed me by and that I probably need a new programmer in order to use
>> the new Microchip products..  Would appreciate any hints on what the
>> best for the money is these days.  I do this for a hobby, use both
>> Windows XP and Linux, and although on somewhat of a tight budget, it
>> is not bare-bones by any means.
>>
>> Thanks for any suggestions.
>>
>> John
>>
>>  
>>
>
>
>


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