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>From: kjdegraaf@juno.com
>I would like to start experimenting with microcontrollers, 

Likewise.

>and I thought this would be a good place to ask some questions, 
>even though they might not necessarily be on topic.  (Z80!  :)

heh, as if the vocal majority of this list cares :)

>I saw on Atmel's web site a $49 "starter kit."  Is this worth 
>it, or is it just a waste of money?

My question too :)  Is any of the stuff included practical to
homebuild?  I'll save money anywere I can.

>Another question I have is that of programming.  Do I need to learn
>another form of ASM?

I believe so, but its not very complicated.  Microcontroller
instruction sets are usually pretty simple when compaired to
even the 8088 instruction set.

>Atmel's site mentioned C.  Do I need a separate C
>compiler for this?  

Yes, I'm pretty sure that you will want to start with ASM
tho, compiled programs are larger than the equivelant ASM
program, and memory is usually pretty tight to begin with.

>How do I burn programs onto an AVR?  Do I need a $500
>programming device (screw it!)?

My feeling also, I don't want to spend more than maybe
100 bux for programming, and even that is pushing it.

I also would like to know what kind of support an AVR will
require in a simple installation.  For instance, suppose
you want to use an AVR to trigger a relay for a specifed
time period when a switch is pressed, in addition to the
AVR, a relay (and maybe a clamping diode), a switch and
possably a voltage regulator, what will be needed?

DK

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