Steve, you might enjoy poking around this site:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Steve <steve65@...> wrote:
>
> Your note below touches on a topic I've been thinking about but haven't
> found a starting place.
>
> I'd like to learn about microcontrollers. What they are, what they do,
> how to make them do what I want. Eventually use them in some of my
> homebrew projects.
>
> You mention Arduino. Someone gave me a beginner's book about the
> PIC16F676. There are probably other entry points into this broad topic.
>
> Is there a place to go to get an overview? Learn what's out there,
> perhaps get enough insight to enable me to pick a direction? A web site?
> A book? An email reflector?
>
> Steve
>
> On 5/18/2010 11:00 AM, Andrew Villeneuve wrote:
> > To anyone intimidated by MCUs, I'd recommend the Arduino platform. It's AVR
> > based, costs about $30, and doesn't need any additional hardware for
> > programming or serial debugging (except for a USB cable).
> >
> > I particularly like that it comes with an IDE for Mac/Windows/Linux and
> > doesn't require you to set up a cross-compiler environment. With my old
> > SAM7X controller, I think I spent more time setting up and IDE and a
> > cross-compiler than I ever did writing code or using the controller.
> >
> > The MCU is socketed and can be built into your project and replaced for
> > around $5 after you get it working correctly.
> >
> > -Andrew
> >
> > On Tue, May 18, 2010 at 9:35 AM, sailingto<sailingtoo@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> I only ask that you
> >>>
> >>>> refrain from asking for one till you have purchased a printer and are
> >>>> serious about the project.
> >>>>
> >> That sounds very fair and the possible $5 price tag is more than
> >> reasonable!! Thank you for all your work.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> Or the hex file for a PIC, as those are more common and the
> >>> programmers are widely spread.
> >>> Cristian
> >>>
> >> and here it was I though the AVR chips were most "widely spread"
> >> {grinning}..... well, maybe not yet, but they sure are gaining!!!
> >>
> >> I do really like this idea, and as I've mentioned before, if the TT method
> >> wasn't working so good for me, I'd sure be looking at this..... and once the
> >> double sided issue is worked out I might have to try it anyway....
> >>
> >> I WILL be following these threads.
> >>
> >> Ken H>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>