RE:" prototyping board that houses a single micro controller (basically a programmable CPU)" Don't take this personal, it is intended to be constructive. The targeted reader is not already a microprocessor junkie! The author=20 is trying to explain that the product is a device to build on and not a=20 ready to use device! This package not only allows hacking, it requires=20 it! It does not need any costly, hard to get or impossible to get bits=20 and pieces to do something. For a newbie this means they can control=20 things that they are familiar with and not have to get into the=20 nitty-gritty of computers! TC Mits (Google/Wikipedia it) can now make his own controller to run the=20 kitchen range/clothes washer that needs a $200 part to fix. It is the package & concept that makes the difference to the=20 beginner-student trying to get a start into computer-electronics world. With my recent interest in dsPICS I am thinking I need one in a package=20 that looks like this http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/09/arduino-arm-products/due/ with a built in bootloader and a good, free c Compiler for $50! I have no interest in going back to the days where you built your own=20 computer with a bucket of ttl chips and programmed it with a matrix of=20 diodes. Twisting knobs and flipping toggle switches was an improvement=20 but they were only incremental improvements. Try to consider this product line by thinking about were you would be=20 studying now if you had one of these when you were in the fifth grade... We old guys want you young folks to be constructive in your criticism of=20 new ideas and technology. When something looks as though it may be=20 threatening your livelihood, don't deny it, get on top of it! On 9/19/2011 7:36 PM, V G wrote: > On Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 7:06 PM, Alex Harford wrote: > >> Hm, Arduino has released an ARM version as well: >> http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/09/arduino-arm-products/ >> >> > This is exactly what I'm talking about. Arduino =3D idiots. > > Straight from the company of the same name, an Arduino is an open-source >> prototyping board that houses a single microcontroller (basically a >> programmable CPU) > > What the hell is a "programmable" CPU? > > This article reads like a third grader wrote it... --=20 John Ferrell W8CCW "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened." --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .