I had similar frustrations when I ported from the Basic Stamps to the PICs. I found the most important thing was getting the PIC setup correctly for your application A/D, digital I/O and config bits. I printed up the data sheet for the 12F675 and left it in my library (bathroom) and read it through and through. This realy helped as I moved to other PICs as I knew what to look for (A/D, PWM, digital I/O etc) Its intresting that the masters sometimes dont show the config and setup info when they post there help code. Get a "Hello World" (blinking LED) working on a new PIC before you proceed any further on a new project. Best of luck, and keep on nearding (what my wife calls my obsession)

Aaron