On.line monitoring and control, either via. local RS-232 or via. web is very nice. You can modify the program, download, reset the newly loaded software, and see the results real time, status of all registers, counters, timers, inputs, outputs, and memory. All within a minute or 2. The TRI-PLC software has an on line help that includes a list of all BASIC commands with examples of usage that can be copy/paste to your software. With timers, the unit is a nice easy to use quantity like 0.1 second for the low speed. As was said, most of the grunt work is done, jump right in to your application. The Tri-PLC I have, the input output buffer chips are all socketed. If you happen to fry one, no big thing, a readily available inexpensive chip. Powering stepper motors or measuring frequency is also readily available. I measure the 60 hz of a generator with one of the inputs. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist