What people tend to forget is that a PIC with code is only a part of the project. Most problems when starting a new project does not come from the PIC or the code, it comes from the hardware around the PIC. This is when engineering skills come into play and of course the old Blinky program.

Imagine you are an expert in engines and you start out building a car. Well expert as you are with engines that part is not a big problem but maybe you have never seen a transmission before thus making a car is almost outside your knowledge. What I am saying is that both the PIC manual and the manual for PICBASIC does not tell you much about the hardware parts around the pic. If they did they would probably be much thicker and still not really usefull because there are as many solutions to a problem as there are engineers involved. The more project you make the better understanding you will get regarding the interaction between hardware and software and the more solutions you can bring out ready to be used from your "little bag of engineering tricks". Some people, like Melanie, can make the hardest projects look so easy, but just because it looks easy for them does not make it easy for you unless you have reached their level or they are in your team. Please remember that even the experts today started out as beginners but that was some years ago....

On a more personal note I have a feeling that the tone of this forum has changed and it is not to the better. By the way manuals for PICBASIC can be found on the MELABS webpage, hardly a secret for anyone.