On Oct 30, 2005, at 5:06 PM, Bill Kuncicky wrote:

> Which of  these tutorials would you recommend?
>
Is there some reason you don't want to look at both of them?  I like
to gather as much info as possible; you can learn a LOT by looking at
the parts where two or more tutorials diverge and figuring out for
yourself WHY they diverge.  (or ask here, if you've tried and can't
get it.  I learn the most here when two people who know more than me
start arguing over points finer than I knew existed :-)

What you need in a tutorial will depend somewhat on where you're
starting.  Have you ever written a computer program before?  How about
in assembler?  For a microcontroller (rather than a "big" computer)?
Can you solder?  Have you built any electronics hardware?  Do you
understand electronics schematics?  How about Chip data sheets?
Do you have any experience with "raw" electronics hardware at all?
(answering "no" to any of these questions doesn't mean that you won't
be able to use PICs for whatever you had in mind, but it might mean
you have some holes in your mind that need filled, and you'll need to
find a tutorial that is willing to fill those holes rather than one
that assumes they're already full.)  How much money do you have to spend
on learning PICs?  (You can jump right in by spending more money to get
a 'development board' and a HLL compiler, or something like the OOPIC or
PicAxe products.  You don't NEED to; there are plenty of free designs
and even free compilers; it'll just require a BIT more effort to collect
and figure out how to put them together...)

As for the two you mentioned, I took a very quick look:
http://www.rentron.com (Myke Predko Tutorial, I assume?)

This seems to be based on the PIC16F84, which has become pretty  
obsolete,
so I'd take it with a grain of salt.  Note that the basic principles of
PIC programming are going to the be the same for F84 or any newer
replacement, so if you're just reading for content and background, there
should be plenty you can learn...

http://WinPicProg.co.uk
Starting with the 16F628, this specifically mentions the obsolescence  
of the
F84, and is therefore more "modern."  However, it looks like more of a
"lab course" aimed at specific hardware projects, and rather lacking in
theory.  Very veroboard-centric too, which may be a problem depending on
where you live (there was a recent discussion on the "interesting" price
comparisons for veroboard in the US vs Europe, for instance.)

You might also want to look at the following:

 From microchip itself:
http://techtrain.microchip.com/masters2004/(kgmnvafutocq2355egt11231)/ 
downloads/classes/801/801.htm
(16F88; a good candidate for F84 replacement)

Others you haven't found yet:
http://www.voti.nl/swp/index_1.html (nice table for "pick a pic")
http://www.mstracey.btinternet.co.uk/pictutorial/picmain.htm  (16F84  
again)
http://www.amqrp.org/elmer160/lessons/index.html (16F84)

BillW

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