Quote Originally Posted by ardhuru View Post
However, I have had excellent results with parallel port based programmer(s).
How many parallel ports does the average PC have these days?
Especially a PC owned by an up-and-coming youngster who's aim is to build the next greatest thing?

So much so that I have never (till now, at least) been tempted to switch over to a USB programmer.
Have you tried the PICKIT2? Especially with its latest software/firmware update which includes that handy little logic analyzer?
I can almost guarantee 100% you'll like it far, FAR better than you think...