Greetings

I'm a newcomer to this list (which was referenced from the
usenet-group sci.electronics.basics) and after lurking around a bit
reading the posts to it, it looks like this list is a collection of
experts and experienced people.

My humble apologies if this post contains questions of too low level
for this list. The reason I'm writing to this mailing list is this:
During the past two years I've been thinking of - but never got the
grip  to - starting to learn how to use microcontrollers. For my next
hobby project, it seems to be a necessity to learn so I thought now -
once and for all - is The Time To Learn.

The next project is going to be a something that looks and acts like a
chess clock, with some few additions. While not completely impossible
to do with a bunch of 555-timers and a lot of logic gates feeding some
7-digit LEDs, the system would probably be a messy harness real quick
and blocks the ability for improvements. So I'm thinking a uC will
take care of all the timing / scoring, and use some external chips
(like a 7-LED decoder and the like) as helper chips.

Now, so far so good in the planning, here's the real reason that's
stopped me for learning microcontrollers: I have absolutely no idea
where to start. Some people say "Go Atmel!", others say "Go PIC!",
others say "Go Foo!".

I have googled around for tutorials, beginners' pages, introduction to
/ comparison between Atmel/PIC and simliar pages, I've seen plenty of
"starter kits" every here and there, some way more expensive than
others making me confused of which to buy, so I still don't know where
to put my foot.

I have 20+ years (software) programming experience. Around 1990-95 I
programmed system assembler for the MC68000, meaning I have atleast
some of the required skills. I think.

So, considering the next project of mine and my background, which kind
of uC might be good enough for me? Or atleast for starting out in the
area, somewhere to put my feet and get the LED flashing.


-- 
- Rikard.
-- 
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