> So I'm wondering am I out of luck, or do I really have to 
> spend the time learning everything from the principles of 
> physics to programming a PIC/FPGA/etc, or is there a quicker 
> "if you just want to know how to connect various things 
> together and make them work".  Besides it seems most of these 
> components use a serial interface, and not sure how an i/o 
> line works exactly. Is that the same thing as a 
> parallel/serial ports data pin for i/o?

It is a bit like traveling in a new country. If youy stick to the main
roads, eat in the Mac's and sleep in the world-wide-chain hotels you
don't need to know much about the country. The more you wander of from
the main roads, eat local food, sleep in local inns, etc, the more you
need to know about the country.

You can get a long way using microcntrollers and FPGAs, thinking of IO
pins as wires carrying 1 or 0, and copying known-good circuits for
interfacing switches, LEDs, relays, etc. But if you want to design your
own thing, especially if it is analog or fast (which is in a sense the
same) you will have to know more.

I would suggest that you buy a Horowitz & Hill and use it for bedtime
reading the next few months.

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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