I think the primary point is that it's open source hardware and software, so anyone can build a board, or buy one.

Of course, you can just as easily buy a devkit from Atmel. It's all a matter of features required, and tastes.

*hides in a dark cave with his PIC micros, his preciousssss*

oh you're one of those PIC fans eh?

So what are the benefit of PIC versus Atmel AVRs ?

Good question. I use PIC microcontrollers primarily because they're dirt cheap, my dev platform is castoff so was free (A Win98SE PC, and a $10 serial programmer), and I enjoy environments that vary from PIC assembler all the way to PICBasic Pro (for days I'm lazy and not really concerned about efficiency). I can't afford modern dev tools to use something like Arduino, Atmel, or other platforms. Use what you got, eh?

that's a fair argument :D

care to teach me PIC programming? or is it too archaic to run on anything faster than a 486?

PICBasic Pro is a Win32 console application.

Otherwise, it works a lot like any other embedded programming. Only the semantics change. In the case of assembly, the mnemonics. In other words, c'mon over. I'll show you what I've got. ;)

well I added you on IM

Dev kits tend to be more oriented towards the inital stage of product development and also selling the processor to developers (hence why their given away often). The Arduino is meant for hobbyists that want to actually build final projects with pre-made parts, since most dev kits are replaced with prototype boards in the development process, whereas most hobbyists can not afford to spend $500 on making their own prototype PCBs.

I use ARM microcontrollers, their a little more expensive to get started with (some boards cost more) but they tend to be better at getting the job done. My dev tools are a copy of Embedded Workbenc for ARM, a IRA branded Segger J-Link and some dev boards for AT91SAM7S and LPC2103 (BBMicro boards). I havent spent more than $100 on ARM stuff so far.

You can get a 32K executable limited version of EWARM for free off IARs website, and you can get the J-Link EDU (educational and hobbyest edition) fopr $60.

I've heard good things about ARM

can you tell me the pro versus cons between ARM and Atmel AVR?

The AVR is a lower end processor. Generally their capabilities end around the lower end of ARM processors.

Pros of ARM Processors:
* Higher performace and scales to very powerful processors.
* More features and capabilities.
* More development platforms and support.

Cons of ARM Processors:
* Needs more support parts (external crystal for clock reference, regulators, etc).
* Higher cost.
* Some development tools are more expensive.

thank you, you did a really good job of explaining that!

how did you learn to work with the ARM architecture?

Oh! I was thinking about this sort of stuff for my Halo 3 MA5C/BR55 builds... problem is, it's so hugely expensive >.<

come again?

Using Arduino products for a soundboard/lightboard in my Halo 3 prop weaponry. In other words, a setup that would let me pull trigger, get sound, see ammo counter drop a few figures.

Simple, I thought.

oh sweet, i just didn't know what those numbers were, i didn't realize it was for a fake weapon <3

that sounds like a nifty idea :D

It is, or would be - if I could afford one of the kits.