Belgium! That is a little t far for my 2 meter rig. You can PM me though.

If you do not have a programmer yet, I would reccomend the PICKIT2 from microchip.
http://www.microchipdirect.com/produ...words=PG164120
$34.99 US. All you will need then is a header and breadboard to get started.

The PICKIT2 works great with XP. I have not been able to make it work with Linux though.
The PICSTART PLUS works with Linux and MPLAB under wine with no problems but it is expensive. $200.00

what is " crossgrade " about, is " compile upgrade " a must etc.
Not sure what you mean?