COOL!!!!
Progress...

About future programmers.. I would recommend the PicKit2 over anything else. It is a bit more expensive but worth it.
http://www.microchipdirect.com/produ...words=PG164120

In my shop I have a PicKit1, PicStart+, and two PicKit2's. Guess the ones that get used the most..

I will sometimes build a JDM type circuit into a project if it is something the customer may have to update and they work OK and I have a board I make for kids to learn the basics on so they do have their place but...

Just my opinion... not trying to start a programmer war.