On Dec 31, 2008, at 1:19 PM, M. Adam Davis wrote:

>
> Still, you haven't explained what you expact a clock chip to do that a
> microcontroller is unsuitable for.  If it's cost, check out the whole
> line of microchip products - you'll find some very low cost (in
> quantity) microcontrollers that would be more than up to the task.
> What microchip doesn't have are LED drivers (something that can be
> fixed with a few cents of transistors)...

Well, I'm embarrassed to say, but I'm still learning the basics of PIC  
assembly and C.  I'm hardly at the level to write my own clock  
program.  Granted, there are plenty of projects out there where the  
author has made their code freely available, but I almost feel as  
though that's cheating.

My interests are strictly hobby level, with possible intent to offer a  
small number of kits utilizing novel display technology such as VFD,  
Numitron, Panaplex, or Nixie.  (Nixie would require 1 of 10 output  
drive - easier done with a 4017 and HV transistors.)

Thanks for the advice.  Unfortunately, in my early days of  
electronics, there was a distinct separation between hardware and  
software.  Such is not the case today, and I'm paying the price in my  
own frustrations of having the ability to assemble nearly any project,  
but I couldn't code the processor to save my life.  I'm making amends,  
but the progress is slow going.

Joe

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