Squirrels have fuzzy tails.
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Another thing I'm curious about, as I'd still like to make some of my own things, I assume that there are output headers on the single board system, allowing me to attach "expansion cards", such at motor controllers, etc.? If so then i could at least make some of/all the expansion boards myself Smiley
P.S.: Any single board computers that you'd recommend? Cost is really an issue here, so I'd prefer the more inexpensive options Smiley
P.P.S.: Would it be worthwhile to do something similar to this tutorial: http://www.societyofrobots.com/member_tutorials/node/26 . That boasts saving money, as well as the satisfaction of making it yourself SmileyQuoteThat is a cool tutorial, and great if you want to learn how a micro controller works and build one. Do not let my advice stop you from doing that tutorial, as you got nothing to lose from it.HOWEVER, I recommend you learn C (if you don't have a good handle on it already) and try to learn either the PIC or AVR 8 bit micro controllers. These two brands of chips are very, very powerful, cheap, and can provide a great set of features designed to make your life easier. The Admin's famed Axon is made using an ATMEGA644p, I believe - an AVR chip. Of the two, AVR is, in my opinion, much easier to get started in.For 80 dollars, you can purchase an STK500, which will allow you to program all of AVR's 8 bit chips available in a DIP package. This is not much more than the 60 dollars you were talking about spending before, and a great investment if you are going to follow this. While I have recently had this programmer stolen, I also have built and used the USBtinyISP:http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/It is a 22 dollar kit and can program all ATMEGA chips, and I can at least confirm it can program the ATTINY45 as well It might do all 8 bit AVRs, but I'm not sure. It isn't difficult to put together, and can get you started as well. The annoying part is having to wire up or build a target board for each micro controller.
That is a cool tutorial, and great if you want to learn how a micro controller works and build one. Do not let my advice stop you from doing that tutorial, as you got nothing to lose from it.HOWEVER, I recommend you learn C (if you don't have a good handle on it already) and try to learn either the PIC or AVR 8 bit micro controllers. These two brands of chips are very, very powerful, cheap, and can provide a great set of features designed to make your life easier. The Admin's famed Axon is made using an ATMEGA644p, I believe - an AVR chip. Of the two, AVR is, in my opinion, much easier to get started in.For 80 dollars, you can purchase an STK500, which will allow you to program all of AVR's 8 bit chips available in a DIP package. This is not much more than the 60 dollars you were talking about spending before, and a great investment if you are going to follow this. While I have recently had this programmer stolen, I also have built and used the USBtinyISP:http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/It is a 22 dollar kit and can program all ATMEGA chips, and I can at least confirm it can program the ATTINY45 as well It might do all 8 bit AVRs, but I'm not sure. It isn't difficult to put together, and can get you started as well. The annoying part is having to wire up or build a target board for each micro controller.
The Admin's famed Axon is made using an ATMEGA644p
Alright, thanks a lot everybody for the help. I'll be sure to ask if I have any more questions (you guys are helpful ).