AVR-Chat

Try:
http://homepage.sunrise.ch/mysunrise/pfleury/avr-starterkit.html

With the new mega parts all you need is the chip and a +5v supply.  Peter's
page, above, is pretty old.  You can dispense with the reset chip and you
can use something like the "SAMPLE" programmer and the programmer that comes
with WinAVR (www.avrfreaks.net) or BASCOM basic compiler (www.mcselec.com)
The "SAMPLE" programmer is literally four wires from a cut-off LPT cable
wired to the appropriate pins of the CPU.

Look at the schematic at the end of the ARC 1.1 users guide at
www.barello.net/ARC for the SAMPLE programmer.  Otherwise find it in the
BASCOM help file and a few other obscure places...
Couldn't get much simpler/cheaper.

That said, I would recommend getting the STK500.  You get both a serial ISP
(in system programmer) a high-voltage parallel programmer to save your fat
when you accidentally program the chip into a state that can't be accessed
via ISP and a dang good bread board to boot.


-----Original Message-----
From: Phil


One thing that I wish there was (could be I just haven't found it) is
a Minimum AVR page.  It would have the minimum circuit needed to get
going plus a description of the simplest programming and development
envt.  The info is all there it just takes work to find it as you
have to wade through a lot of unfamiliar jargon and try to figure out
what is relevant and what isn't.  Its good for fast track learning
but some people would feel overwhelmed.