hi Sam,
If you are in Portland UK, send me the PIC, post your assembly code to the forum, I will program/debug and return your programmed PIC, FOC.
Download the free MPLAB IDE from
www.microchip.com
If you decide you want to do this, let me know, I will then PM my address in Hampshire UK.
Optikon,
if I was advising a Newbie [I hate that term] a student, I would say,
if you intend following a hobby or career in electronics, get on the PIC ladder asap.
Consider the money that you outlay for the kit, as an investment in your future, MCU's are not going to go away for a very long time.
I am probably over reacting, but I find in almost every case engineers want to have a MCU somewhere in a project,
when a simple piece of logic will do the same job just as well.
I prefer a simple, quick, reliable solution to solving problems.
I would like to say that I enjoy discussing the pro's and con's with a fellow engineer, this is the way, I am still prepared listen and learn even after 57 years in this industry.
Its good to hear other points of view, it helps me think outside 'the box'
Regards