>
>
> I'm also kind of thinking about
> getting just the processor and building my own board. Lots of decisions
> to make. Yes, things do change but I still believe that the books stay
> relevant.
>

Building you own is liable to be very unworthwhile  unless the exercise is
meant to be a useful one in it's own right.

You can get Arduino mini's for under $US3 with free shipping from sellers
on Alibaba and Nano's for< $4 and Uno's? for under $6.
The Mini is very basic and has no USB hardware BUT you can buy a plug in
USB to serial FTDI board for under $3 from the same sellers and use it for
eg bootloading from PC.

I have not yet used Arduinos but am about to 'have  a play'. I order 10 x
Minis for $US21.50 for 10 (yes, $2.105 each)

     http://www.aliexpress.com/store/213957/search?SearchText=3Darduino

How well that deal will fare is TBD. I chose the free shipping option so it
will be some weeks before I find out.

Bait(e) electronics is not the most inspiring name :-).


             Russell

_____________________

2 x Mini + 2 x USB interface + free shipping $US6.16 total (!!!)

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2PCS-1PCS-CP2102-Module-1PCS-Pro-Mi=
ni-Module-Atmega328-5V-16M-For-Arduino-Compatible-With-Nano/213957_12425845=
16.html
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