getting started in a project, some help really appreciated

[mugwamp]

Well, Robert, you've found your way to a board for people who use MELabs PicBasic. Obviously, there's a number of ways you can program your PIC so the first decision you have to make is what system you're going to use. Once you make that decision, then the next step would probably be to get a book that takes you through the process of learning how to make microcontrollers do what you want them to do. They're friendly little buggers but somewhat set in their ways and they don't compromise much. They'll do all the things you say you want to do but before you build a digital alarm clock, you've got start with having one flash an LED. It sounds simple but there's a lot of posts here from people who are having trouble getting that far. For PicBasic, I'm fond of either "PIC Microcontroller Project Book : For PIC Basic and PIC Basic Pro Compliers" by John Iovine or "Programming PIC Microcontrollers with PICBASIC" by Chuck Hellebuyck. Both are excellent books. Working with a simple breadboard is quite possible. There's also complete boards which have all the components in place like the MeLabs X-1.

Everybody's different in how they like to learn things. I like to jump in feet first. Other people might want to start slow and work gradually. Assuming you decide to go with either PicBasic or PicBasic Pro, you'll find that this board is an excellent source of of information and ideas.

[khoog]

Robert, Microchip sells a complete demo board, PicDem2 Plus, bundled with an ICD2 programmer. I don't know what your budget is, but I think this is the way to go. Trying to build up your own circuits on a proto board can be an excersize in frustration if you don't know electronics at all.

The PicDem board has sockets for several different Pics as well as actual samples of those Pics for you to try. The board also has working, proven circuits that let you implement all the functions of each Pic- A/D, RS232, LCD, blinky lights, and many more. I believe just about all the PBP sample programs can be configured and compiled to run on this board.

It comes complete with schematics and parts lists. Once you figure out how to get all the different parts working, and you want to spin a board of your own, you can just clone and/or modify those parts of the schematics that interest you, and, since you'll be a PBP expert by then, you won't have any problems getting it all to work together.

Klaus