if you want to continue with this hobby don't skimp out.
don't get something cheap. cause I did and have wasted alot of money cause of it. heres a count up
$25-pc baord/atmega16/etc -first parts ordered
$17-programmer - waste of money
$25-another pc board/etc to make sure it's my fault not the programmer's
$20-shipping to have it programmed, cause it was needed for a school project.
$2-resistors for parralel port programmer
and it still don't work.
I spent $67 and am nowhere, but if I had bought the arduino right away for $40 I'd be far better off.