Re: Any recommendations for a good overview of pic and basic stamps

From: Jan-Erik Söderholm (aaa_at_aaa.com)
Date: 08/24/04 

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 09:43:56 +0200

Hi !

www.microchip.com, details and data sheets for the PIC processors.
www.piclist.com, info about a PIC mailing-list.

http://www.voti.nl/swp/index.html, a nice intro to PIC.
http://www.st-anna-data.se/picdoc.zip, a PDF version of the same.

http://www.voti.nl/wisp628/index.html, one of the more popular
  hobbyist/amateurs PIC programmers.

http://www.voti.nl/dwarf/index.html, a nice series of PIC based
  building blocks. Flexible and reasonable cost.

Before anyone asks, no, the "voti" site is *not* mine :-)
But I do use his stuff...

Regards,
Jan-Erik.

Bill Velek wrote:
>
> While in the process of trying to find a solution to a problem, I
> received several suggestions that PIC or Basic-Stamps might be a
> solution. In order to fairly evaluate those suggestions, and decide
> whether or not I'm capable enough to use that approach, I'd like to get
> a good overview of what I'll be facing. I've joined another e-list for
> basic-micros -- Parallax's forum -- but so far I haven't received an
> adequate answer to the questions that I'll pose here. I _think_ this
> would be on-topic here, and I hope no one minds.
>
> What I'm looking for is links to sites that will give a broad general
> explanation to a complete novice of the nature and potential of PIC and
> Basic-Stamps; I've done a some googling without coming up with anything
> that is very helpful, so I might be way off base right now.
>
> My impression is that these are simply chips that can be programmed
> (perhaps something like an EPROM?), but it is done with very simple
> basic-language programs that are fairly short with relatively few
> instructions, and that the programming is done on a computer and then
> loaded onto the chip via a cable linking the chip and a PC. Then the
> chip can be installed on a small circuit board of some sort (e.g., a
> thermostat), after which it is then able to run the basic-program
> completely independent of the PC. Besides my thermostat needs, I can
> see possible future applications in my beer brewing hobby, so I am
> definitely interested at this point; for example, if I'd eventually like
> to build either a RIMS or HERMS (for non-brewers, that would be a
> "Recirculating Infusion Mash System" using a magnetic pump to circulate
> the liquid in the mash to help keep it uniform in pH and temp, and a
> "Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System" which also actually controls
> the temp through various stages). Both of those systems can be designed
> to be fully computerized with temp sensors, PID controllers, solenoid
> valves, and magnetic pumps.
>
> At this point I'm not seeking technical help to solve a specific
> problem. Rather, I'd just appreciate some insight into what I'd likely
> be facing in this area, and also the sort of other 'fringe' benefits
> (like a cool hobby) that I might derive from this in order to become
> involved; for instance, if I purchase a bit of equipment, take my time
> learning all of this stuff, and then build my project, what other sorts
> of things can typically be done with this technology? What sort of
> costs am I facing -- at a minimum -- especially if I have only a
> soldering iron and a simple multimeter? What kind of learning curve
> will I be facing? ... and will I need to learn the equivalent of what it
> takes to earn an associate's degree, or perhaps just a single college
> course? Is there a website or FAQ page that will start me out with a
> good overview of this area of technology, explaining how the entire
> process works?
>
> Thank you for any help.
>
> Bill Velek

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