> Aren't you able to connect to http://samples.microchip.com and request
> 3 units * 8 different chips every 30 (student) or 40 (otherwise) days?
> And I mean FREE samples.

Yes, of course I can, if I want, take the time for it, remember when the
period is over, know what new chips there are, etc. But I was talking
about what uChip could do if they wanted to stimulate availablility of
lower-cost development tools. More like pestering would-be 30F tool
developers into activity. 

Years and years ago when I was developing WISP and the first steps of
Jal (I was still just a hobbyist then) I got a free PS+ and some samples
from uChip, I don't remember whether I asked for them, or some 3d party
suggested it to uChip, or it was their own initiative. This did
stimulate me a lot, both technically (now I could use a know-good
programmer as comparison) and by feeling taken serious by the big
company. There are bound to be would-be tool developers out that that
could use such a push.

Some more about activating would-be tool developers: how about ...
- stimulating (paying?) someone/some group to create a GCC for the
12/14/16 bit cores?
- releasing a free GCC for the 30Fs without the optimization but with
the libraries?
- bombarding Scott (or who someone else) with PIC samples untill he
finishes SDCC?
- bombarding some Jal-developers (not me) with 30F samples until Jal
supports the 30F?

and of course, as said, open up the uChip tools for Linux....

> My God..

wacht your words, James is reading too!

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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