AVR-Chat

Same here, except I spell it "olde fahrt" <grin>

My very first microcontroller project was with a Z-80.  I wrote the 
program in assembler, translated it into machine code myself on paper 
using the Zilog Z-80 data book, and then programmed it into a SEEQ 52B13 
EEPROM.  I made a programmer that used DIP switches for address and data 
and a pushbutton for programming. I must've programmed thousands of lines 
of machine code by loading it with the DIP switches and pushing the 
button. I did not have a computer at the time to do any of this with. 
And the darned programs worked!

It was a learning experience but I'm glad those days are behind me.
:-)

Zack

On Thu, 27 Dec 2007, Dennis Clark wrote:

>   I feel an attack of "old fartism" coming on...  For those that have
> kids and have seen "Clifford, The Big Red Dog", use the voice of the
> fellow who talks about "when I was a boy..." here:
>
>   Back when I was a student we didn't have the WWW, we read books and
> experimented using solderless breadboards.  <Sounds of gasps>"No WWW?
> How did you survive?!"
>   Well, we read data sheets and looked at example code (if there was
> any), then we (whisper quietly) hand-assembled code from assembly sheets
> and keyed it in.  In other words, we learned to look data up and
> interpret it.  This means you need to know the parts of a micro
> controller and how it works.  I'm sure that your class has provided said
> data sheets and manuals.  It is now up to you to "connect the dots" and
> learn the steps we use in the real world to solve problems.  Getting
> help is fine, asking for the answers without even trying to understand
> the problem is going to lead you down the path to failure.  If you get
> stuck and would like an explanation on some detail, we're happy to help,
> there are some sticking points with the AVR controllers that are not
> obvious to the beginner.
>
> Go for it and have fun,
> DLC
>