> > I want a PIC with two ADC inputs ( 10bits ) , 8 GPIO , a
> > timer ......     It can be as slow as molasses.   What is crucial to
> > me is that it is $5 or less: that I can pick up a cheep and trivial
> > method of programming it ( $25 ) ; that I can get a cheep development
> > IDE with Basic or C or whatever ($ 25 )  ; that it runs on 3.3 or 5
> > volts.   The bigger the physical size of the pins, the better.  DIP is
> > better than SOIC, etc.
> 
> You know, this is exactly the sort of thing that results in the
> popularity of the BASIC Stamp, Arduino, and other similar "plug and
> play" microcontroller solutions.
> 
> An Arduino will cost between $10 and $40 dollars, but includes the
> "programmer" and "development environment in C" for free (complete
> with pre-done analog input functions.)  So the "total expenditure" is
> well within the $55 budget you mention.  And the "pins" are even
> bigger than a DIP.  Given only "passing familiarity" with
> microcomputer programming, you could churn out a working prototype in
> a day.
> 
> I think a BASIC Stamp would run a bit more $$ (but still less than
> $55) and not have as many options for "commoditization" of subsequent
> builds, but it's also a possibility.


Or the PicAxe.  It's just the bare chip and needs a 3-wire serial cable for
programming.  

Runs Basic though, which might annoy the 'Real Men' (TM), but the customer
need never know, and won't unless you tell them.

Tony

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