most basic question from a beginner

danx

I want a·"toy" that can be programmed to le's say light a LED on a given time interval. I have never write any code for a micro chip, never seen one (!), never thought of one....·I am·not even a beginner. Please bare with me and answer my question: which kit should I buy as I only need the most simple of the output possible application ? Something that would let me write some code on my PC and upload it into the microchip.

Thank you (it's embarrasing to ask these questions),·I hope someone will have an answer for me.

Franklin

This might be a starting point www.parallax.com/Store/Education/CustomKits/tabid/134/txtSearch/bs1usb/List/1/ProductID/118/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName

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- Stephen

danx

Thanks Stephen, I did look at the BS1USB Board as well as the other products (bs1 starter kit) offered by parallax. My only issue is that I would buy one of these and would have no clue how to use them. Yes, I checked the documentation but I haven`t found a step-by-step guidance for a hello world project, some output that would help me from the beginning to end in using such a device. Maybe I am too scared ... and things may be easier.

Dan

MSDTech

Dan,

You might want to look at the Basic Stamp Activity Kit.
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampProgrammingKits/tabid/136/CategoryID/11/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/313/Default.aspx
The What's a Microcontroller text is a step by step guide to using the Basic Stamp and is a very good starting point.
You can download the text in pdf format from:
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampProgrammingKits/tabid/136/CategoryID/11/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/313/Default.aspx

You may also be able to find the kit at some Radio Shacks - they call it What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit
I checked the Radio Shack web site and they have it in stock.

GICU812

My local radioshack used to sell a starter kit, I dont know if they still do.

Get one, I'll walk you through the basics. Though really, the book it comes with should cover everything you'd ever need to know, Parallax is the best company Ive seen for user education, ALL of thier books a literature is available for free as a download.

Id reccmoned a BS2 just because of the enhanced functionality.

danx

Thank you, I will give it a try with your suggestion.

danx

delivery it`s only for USA ???? I live in Canada.

Chris Savage

Danx,

If you have already discounted BASIC Stamps as a solution simply for lack of knowledge then there probably won’t be a solution that works that easily and your post will also be off topic since this forum is for BASIC Stamp discussion only.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering

SRLM

?

Seems he tried to order, but found the shipping to be an issue.

Anyway, I like the Whats a Microcontroller and BS Syntax and Reference Manual combo. However, for a first kit I'd probably get the BOE-BOT, since it ultimately has more functionality. You can do pretty much all the WAuC experiments on the BOE, and as previously mentioned you can download everything free.

PJAllen

Parallax products are available from a number of Canadian distributors --

http://www.parallax.com/Default.aspx?tabid=493