not sure about microcontrollers

[pianoman]

Yeah, I have been researching for awhile about what microcontrollers would be the best for learning the most, and doing the most. I think that it would probaly be good to program in C, because it seems that most microcontrollers are programmed in that language.
But no matter how much research I do, I can't seem to decide on a microcontroller to buy. It would be best for me to hear about your expiriences and how you learned to program.
I have alot of ideas floating around in my mind that would be so awesome to see in action and use for doing chores.
I have a budget of about $60
Thanks in advance
I HAVE TO GO BECAUSE MY SIS WANTS THE COMPUTER BACK!

[JesseWelling]

I think AVR's are the best way to go if you want cheap microcontrollers that have free C compilers.
Although you might need a little bit more that $60 to get you started (programer: $20-50, development board $30-100) depending on what you can find. I'd start looking at Sparkfun.com for nice AVR development boards.

[superchiku]

i can help you with an avr programmer which is basically $1 other things you have to buy..

[benji]

AVR ATmegas

[Admin]

Depends on your application, your requirements, etc.

Can't help you if you don't know this

[pianoman]

thanks for all the quick replies (sorry for not responding sooner).
i think i am going to buy a bunch of Arv's and follow some tutorials off the web, and instead of using a development board i will just program them through my breadboard.
i am also really interested in programmer for basically $1 superchiku, please tell me about it!

[superchiku]

ok ill help u but 1st tell me if ur computer has a parallel port in it , if it isnt there then this wont work

[pianoman]

I do have a parallel port!
will this programmer support most Avr's?

[izua]

Programmer (hardware) doesn't care.
If you use a programmer via the parallel port, that's merely a power amplifier. Flashing/Downloading to flash is made by software. And software can always be updated to support new AVRs

[benji]

you can use the ponyprog serial port programmer to, do it yourself ,the components are so cheap too

[superchiku]

ya it will support any avr u want , tell me ur email id ill mail it there ...

[pianoman]

ok i just sent you my email superchiku and also, i think i may try to build the si-prog as well.
(thanks for the info benji).....(and izua)