Olin Lathrop wrote:

>Jan-Erik Soderholm wrote:
>  
>
>>Without knowing the finer details, one thing that *seems*
>>harder with the dsPIC's, is to get support in some of the
>>common hobbyist-oriented PIC programmers... ;-) ;-)    
>>
> <>I've seen a lot of hobbyist complaining about the lack thereof 
> lately, so has something changed or are they not thinking this thru 
> all the way? Do you honestly think I would sell a reasonable amount of 
> additional EasyProgs if it supported dsPICs? OK, how about a show of 
> hands? I'm not going to hold anyone to this, but who out there would 
> personally be inclined to buy an EasyProg (in any form) if it: 
> supported dsPICs? 16F88? Any other PIC?


Olin:
I am a hobbyist learning PICs. I enjoy hardware, keep on putting off 
firmware.  For programming to get interesting I have to find practical 
applications .....
I am a potential buyer of the EasyProg. (it much depends on the 
competition).

I follow the dsPIC threads closely, wondering if I should enter 
PIC-programming at the dsPIC level.
 (but .... at some later time I will need the 'smaller' chips, 10F thru 
18F, for applications.)

I told a friend in USA to buy the EasyProg but I cancelled it. Because:

-I could not see the ZIF-socket underneath the 40-pin chip (does it 
accommodate 18-pin PICs? I use 16F628 for all my learning).
-I was disappointed that it had no SMPS (I am interested in SMPS). I was 
hoping it would run off my 6V/4AH battery or from a 5Volt supply. 
(WISP628 can.)
-Serial ports are disappearing. I expect you will go USB in the future.
-dsPICs were on my mind in a negative way. I did not expect the EasyProg 
could program dsPICs (I was expecting dsPICs required a more elaborate 
programming interface). I did not forget your words 'dsPIC programming 
is no trivial matter'. (I assumed you had problems supporting dsPICs.)

-I found alternatives. It was fun to build my own programmer. (my 
experience is with parallel-port programmers).

-ICSP works well for me (experimenting/learning environment). I modified 
(schematic) a parallel-port programmer for ICSP-only programming (leave 
off ZIF-socket, use CMOS bufferchip). The resulting board is small 
enough to solder direct to the DB-25 plug. Easy to build, easy to use. 
Programmer is out-of-sight. Application and ICSP connector and 
power-switch in front of me. Programmer-LED-indicators optional (at the 
ICSP connector).
Toggle switch (power to programmer or application but not both) can 
easily be added.

dsPIC capability of EasyProg is a major advantage (in purchase-decisions).
A decision is made EARLY (in a PIC-users-life) ..... Beginners (any 
kind) need a Programmer >before< programming the first chip.
Your/Olin's ASSURANCE that dsPIC support is coming (firmware changes 
only) is good enough for me (till dsPIC is a beginner's chip).
I assume dsPIC is a FAMILY much like the 10F 12F 16F is. IOW all major 
dsPICs will be supported.

16F88 has become important because it's pushed as a beginner's chip.
But it is no big guess .... I am sure EasyProg will (eventually) support it.

In the meantime I am awfully busy (can hit myself for spending time on 
this msg) :
Programmer-building, learning PIC-code, learning practical interfaces 
(serial busses, piezo, read-out, RTC, motor drivers and a lot more ..) . 
339 PIClist messages to read ....... (plus OT and EE). (Thanks for all 
the GOOD stuff !!!)

Herman in PHL.

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