Microcontrollers and Programmers

[rockrobotics]

I'm thinking about all the things involved with building the $50 robot,  and I'm kind of confused about the microcontrollers.  I saw all the software he used and everything, but which programmer do I use?  Does it matter which programmer I buy?  Will all microcontrollers work with all the programmers?  Will all the software work with all the programmers?  Please help me and make it EASY to understand!  Thanks!

[SmAsH]

The usb programmers will work with the microcontrollers and avrstudio.
The serial/parallel programmers will need avrstudio and ponyprong.

[Pratheek]

Any programmer that supports the Atmega series, specifically the Atmega8 will do. And any programming software that supports that programmer will do!

You will have to use different programming softwares for different programmers. When you are buying your programmer just find out if it supports programming the Atmega8 and also which software(s) it is compatible with.