I should have add the 8/14/20 pin chips to my recommendations 
as well. Just I think 18pin device including 16F628A/16F88 
is in the legacy mode now. 

Just take note I've only worked with 16F (all <=2k words so no 
paging) so far at work. I am only now starting to mess with 
18F4550 USB and dsPICs from a hobbyist's point of view and 
like them because they are C-language friendly.

Let me revise my conclusion. Forget about 16F88/87xA for the
hobbyist because of paging. Start with 2k 8/14/20 pin device
with up to 2k words with a PICkit 1 or PICkit 2. Then go up to 
18F parts. Then go up to dsPICs (or other chips with easy-to-
handle package like DIP/SOIC/SSOP).

Regards,
Xiaofan
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