[FTDI serial cable assembly stuff..] > > > But it costs double a cheap prolific adapter? > D Sure, but it's not just a RS232 - USB adaptor. It's a USB to TTL level serial with a cable and connectors. In application if I were to use a "normal" USB-RS232 adaptor I have to add level conversion and a DB9 connector on my board then plug several cables together. This is certainly simpler, though at $20 it's about the same, maybe a little more. Most of us probabaly have a little board (or several) lying on our bench that we use for serial level conversion (James even sells them! http://www.piclist.com/techref/io/serial/RCL1.htm). Instead of using one of these and a USB converter, now it's one part USB -> TTL serial. PLUS, it _might_ have the ability to do simple bit bang output capable of low voltage programming. The thought was if a programmer like Wouter's WISP had a second connector and was made capable of being LVP, one could use this to bit bang the programmer's PIC, then recconect the adaptor to the UART pins and use normal serial to program other parts. It relates back to the "chicken and egg" discussion about decent programmers require a programmed microcontroller. -Denny -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist