About two years ago I given given a (legal/original) copy of PicBasicPro, and an ICD2 Debugger/Programmer. Last week I found myself needing a small/fast program that the Picaxe just couldn't do. I also wanted to program some PICs with the NKM2401 hex code provided by Rev Ed. So I gathered up the stuff from storage and downloaded the proper version of Microchip MPLAB and began reading all of the documentation. I then built a little programming board for 8 & 14 pin 12F and 16F PICS.
After 2 days of reading, experimenting and head scratching, I was finally able to communicate with and erase an old Picaxe 14M (PIC 16F684). After another 2 days, I was able to get an LED flashing. And I am guessing that it will take at least another day or so to figure out how to set the option bits to setup the 16F684 micro to use a 20Mhz crystal oscillator and an external MCLR/ reset switch.
In contrast, when I received my first Picaxe, It took me less than 1 hour to have an LED up an blinking. Another few minutes and it was sending serial data to the terminal. In another hour or so I had it detecting/ reading pulses sent from a 555 timer.
This recent experience makes me better appreciate the Picaxe system and the background work done by the Picaxe software & firmware. Kudos for the Picaxe.
I am not a Picaxe worshiper ( Complete Agnostic in regards to Micros) and sometimes I am quick to point out deficiencies, so I though it was appropriate to share my recent experience and say something really nice.
After 2 days of reading, experimenting and head scratching, I was finally able to communicate with and erase an old Picaxe 14M (PIC 16F684). After another 2 days, I was able to get an LED flashing. And I am guessing that it will take at least another day or so to figure out how to set the option bits to setup the 16F684 micro to use a 20Mhz crystal oscillator and an external MCLR/ reset switch.
In contrast, when I received my first Picaxe, It took me less than 1 hour to have an LED up an blinking. Another few minutes and it was sending serial data to the terminal. In another hour or so I had it detecting/ reading pulses sent from a 555 timer.
This recent experience makes me better appreciate the Picaxe system and the background work done by the Picaxe software & firmware. Kudos for the Picaxe.
I am not a Picaxe worshiper ( Complete Agnostic in regards to Micros) and sometimes I am quick to point out deficiencies, so I though it was appropriate to share my recent experience and say something really nice.