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Newbies Start Here!

Motorola's got a decent 332 page book about microcontroller fundamentals. You can download it for free from http://e-www.motorola.com/files/microcontrollers/doc/ref_manual/M68HC05TB.pdf  but be warned that it's almost 2MB in size.
also at: http://www.freescale.com/files/microcontrollers/doc/ref_manual/M68HC05TB.pdf

Bob Parker: While searching for something else, I discovered a 2MB 127 page .pdf file which is full of useful reference info about electronics, components and things related to electronics, with a lot of handy charts etc. Well worth the 2MB download, I thought.    It's at http://www.elfa.se/en/fakta55.pdf

I believe there are currently two simple approaches to getting involved with microcontrollers. The ATMEL AVR Micro and the Microchip PICmicro:

The PICmicro is well established, however the AVR has virtually caught up now. Generally speaking, the AVR will be cheaper from a software point of view as the higher language compilers such as C and Basic, are much cheaper to purchase than the PIC equivalents, and the hardware needed, is almost non existent to program an AVR. An AVR programming circuit can be as simple as 5 wires connected to a PC printer port.

My personal recommendation for the beginner is the AVR. It is cheaper, simpler, and faster. This doesn't mean as a starting point, there is no room for improvement, just the opposite. Many Professional Engineers are moving from PICs and other micros to AVR's, and new products such as the Basic-X development systems are based on AVR Micros.

The PIC has a silly page mode of addressing, which is the real reason I moved from PIC to AVR, and PIC have gone really mad with new programming algorithms which makes it a nightmare to keep programmer software up to date.

Microchip also decided to take legal action against anyone using the word PIC in their products. This meant their loyal supporters had to change the names of many of their products. Another stupid move by Microchip.

But don't let this put you off PICs, as a PIC micro may be a much better choice for a specific application than an AVR. The internet has an abundance of PIC applications already written, and the Compilers are well established and tested.
The correct selection of a PIC micro could be very much cheaper than an AVR.

All AVR chips are flash. This means you can re-program them many times. PICs are catching up with more flash micros coming on the market, but for beginners be careful. Many PIC chips are One Time Program (OTP). This means you can only program them once, and many are not Flash versions.

Most PIC programmers or burners, require more circuitry than their AVR equivalents, however there are some very simple designs around for the newer +5V (Low Voltage Programming LVP) flash parts.

If you wish to program in assembly language, then both PIC and Atmel web sites have very good free software available.

You just have to get your feet wet and dive in and get that first LED flashing. Once you have done this, you will be in a better position to understand where you are heading with MicroControllers, what language you can handle or need to use, and how to go about expanding past that LED flashing stage. The Internet provides a wealth of information for these micros, and most of this is linked to the Dontronics pages.

I get a lot of questions on how to do this and how to do that. There are support groups in place not only for Dontronics products but also for PIC or Atmel specific questions. Also have a look at my FAQ page.

Sure I can answer your questions directly, and if you get onto one of the User Groups, others can answer as well. I may well answer on the list, but it means you don't have to wait on me either. The SimmStick and Atmel lists have hundreds of users, the Piclist about 2000 at the moment.

I have seen the PICLIST guys virtually design the hardware and software on line for various projects that subscribers have asked about.

The SimmStick user group will help you with any Dontronics product related question.

Have a look at:
PIClist is for PICs in general, stamps are for the Parallax Basic
stamp. Other PIC groups will be found such as the SimmStick user group for
SimmStick and other related products, Atmel for Atmel

AVR

AVR Serial or USB programmers:

The STK500 kit  is the most common method these days to get up and running with AVR's.
It runs from the serial port of a PC, however it will run from USB using our USB converter.

AVR Parallel Printer Port Programmers:

The principle is old, but many people are still getting good use out of these programmers.

The Little rAVeR! is here:
What is the cheapest and best way to get into Microcontrollers today?
This page has instructions for building a  No Parts AVR Programmer, and has free windows software to drive it. And if you want to program in Basic, then we will do that for free for the first 4K bytes, and make sure you check out the Little rAVeR! The DT006 kit of parts is an ideal way to get started very cheaply.

See also: DT006, DT104, and  DT107

The full range of SimmSticks can be seen at:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=37

AVR Support:

http://www.avrfreaks.net for a good forum
and
Dontronics AVR Links

AVR Software:

Now depending on what language you wish to program in:
Dontronics AVR Software
Micros can be purchased from:
Dontronics AVR Hardware
Also see SSinfo

PIC

MicroChip's PICmicro has great support and plenty of applications, chat groups etc., and they have flash micros in 18, 28, and 40 pin DIP packages. A flash device allows you to program the micro thousands of times with a simple programmer. The most popular PICmicro for beginners is the PIC16F84/04/P. This is the F84 in an 18 pin DIP package, which is the standard 18 pin .3 socket.

A lot of references on the web are made of the PIC16C84. This is the first version of the 84 and now obsolete. These are pin for pin compatible, and from a newbie point of view, the power up timer bit is inverted during programming. Sure there are other differences, but the PUT bit inversion is all you need to know initially. If you are starting with an F84, then you are off to a fresh start any way. Most people these days start with a PC16F648. These are pin compatible with the 84, but have many advantages.

PIC Serial or USB programmers:

The mEL USB PIC Programmer  is one of the most popular method these days to get up and running with PIC's.
It runs from the USB port of a PC, and will program a big array of PIC chips. Very well supported by the manufacturers.

We also have the DIY kits range of USB PIC programmers, however due to the passing of the owner, Peter Crowcroft in HK in June-2005, supplies have been difficult at times, and support hasn't been 100%. His wife Ladda is now running the business, and starting to get on top of it. bear in mind that these programmers represent excellent value for money.

PIC Parallel Printer Port Programmers:

The principle is old, but many people are still getting good use out of these programmers.

See the following Parallel programmers and add on boards:
http://www.dontronics.com/pickaxe.html
http://www.dontronics.com/dt001.html
http://www.dontronics.com/dt001cha.html
http://www.dontronics.com/dt101.html
http://www.dontronics.com/chat.html

The full range of SimmSticks can be seen at:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=37

PIC Support:

http://piclist.com for a good forum
and
Dontronics PIC Links

PIC Software:

Now depending on what language you wish to program in:
Dontronics PIC Software
Micros can be purchased from:
Dontronics PIC Hardware

and check for these PIC books