NEWBIE Needs basic help please

[omega]

Hi all,

A great & informative site.

I have just started playing with electronics / LED's / controllers etc & keep seeing the panels that you guys are using.

I'd love to make some tentative steps in this direction but could do with basic help.

Obviously the first thing is: what hardware do I need to make a start.

Is there any "LCD for morons" lessons out there ?


manay thanks for reading this,,,,,,,

MODs: Please feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place.

[caesar]

Hi there omega!

Well, microcontroller programming tends to take the whole spare time away from you, so be warned!

1. The easiest way: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=1540
You'll need just the display, the USB adapter, a few wires and a variable resistor.

2. If you don't mind spending a few more bucks, then buying a programmer for PIC microcontrollers or building it yourself, would allow you to tackle these versions that use PIC microcontrollers (uC):
http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=299
http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=501

Depending on the prices in your place, you could look into Atmel uC - AVR's. You will need a different programmer for those. Look at AVRfreaks site for more info.
And here is an interesting topic about those: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=303

Good luck in your new adventure!

[omega]

many thanks caesar,

I am now disabled, so i do have more time to spare that I ever wanted !

For the same reason - I have to look after my pennies (I won't be doing anything 'commercially' for eg),,,,,

I am fascinated by what can be done at the lower end of the electronics field,,,,,, who knows how far i'll want to go in the future ?!?!

I'll have a look around the links that you kindly supplied,,,,

In the immortal words of somebody "Albie Bach"

cheers again