21 Nov
2007
21 Nov
'07
4 p.m.
On 21 Nov 2007 at 15:37, Chris M wrote:
Phooee. PCs are arguably the best tools to learn on.
It's such a vanilla architecture. Some earlier 8-bit
UK and Yank machines wouldn't be a bad 2nd choice, but
regarding media and such (he'll want to save programs
remember) it couldn't be easier. You can stick a 3.5"
HD drive in just about any peecee, even if it sees it
as a 720k.
I'd probably start a young 'un with a PIC. They're cheap, easy to
program and pretty much self-contained (no ROM, RAM or other chips to
worry about). You can start with a little 12F629 and blink lights
and even run a little motor. Move up to some of the PICs with more
I/O pins and build clocks, do basic communications, drive an LCD
display, run a robot, etc. Reprogrammable and rugged; can be
programmed in assembly or C or BASIC. If the kid makes magic smoke
with one or swallows one, no big deal. They'll run off of 3 or 4 AA
cells, so no worry about dangerous line voltages.
Programmers can be had for little more than the price of the ZIF
socket on one. Tools are free for the downloading.
Cheers,
Chuck