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+The first step is to get set up with all the necessary hardware and
+software to start making your controllers do your bidding.
+
+## Programmer
+
+A programmer needn't be super-fancy. In fact, you can get by with five
+wires soldered to a parallel port plug if you'd like. [This
+Instructable](http://www.instructables.com/id/Ghetto-Programming%3a-Getting-started-with-AVR-micro/)
+steps through making a parallel port programmer. I'll probably make up a
+cable or two and bring it in to the space if you'd just like to try it
+out. Note that if you've got a breadboard, you can skip the step of
+making a programming cradle and just plug the wires into the correct
+pins on the AVR.
+
+If you're getting a little more serious, spend \$22 and get a [USB-based
+programmer from ladyada](http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/) or
+make your own [usbtiny SPI
+programmer](http://www.xs4all.nl/~dicks/avr/usbtiny/) for maybe
+\$10-15ish. If you're making your own, you'll need to flash an AVR with
+the supplied firmware, but you can do that with a parallel port
+programmer or just ask one of us to hook you up.
+
+This part may seem daunting -- it's not. Dive in or get someone to help
+you. The Ladyada kit is a good first/second soldering project.
+
+Indeed, if any of that seems too complicated, just connect some wires
+from a parallel port to the right pins on the AVR (perhaps directly onto
+your breadboard?) and you're started. There's an adapter for doing just
+that floating around the lab somewhere. For more on that style of
+programmer, see [AVR Tutorial: Bootstrapping the
+AVR](AVR_Tutorial:_Bootstrapping_the_AVR "wikilink")
+
+## Software
+
+The standard toolchain consists of a GCC-based C cross-compiler, the
+AVR-libc libraries, and the software to run your programmer: *avrdude.*
+Feel free to write the C or assembler code using whatever editor you
+like best.
+
+**Windows:** The whole toolchain is put together nicely with
+[WinAVR](http://sourceforge.net/projects/winavr). Download and install.
+If you're using a parallel port programmer, you'll need to also run the
+included *giveio.bat* file to get yourself permissions.
+
+**Linux:** I'm most familiar with Ubuntu these days. As of 2008/04,
+"sudo apt-get install avrdude avr-libc binutils-avr gcc-avr" will set
+you up. Or fetch tarballs and compile it yourself. (I'll incluce
+versions here in a few.)
+
+**MAC:**
+Wanted to note something quick about my MAC experience so far (Q): I
+haven't really read the link to ada's site about programming AVR for MAC
+but 'AVRMacPack' is really cool! In OSX it's a simple .pkg file to
+install and drop into /Applications - then as long as you've installed
+XCode (that comes with macbook in the 2nd CD 'Developer Tools' section)
+they have this great little script in there called 'avr-project'. When
+you run this little badass piece of code it creates a DIR for your
+project called /FIRMWARE and three things:
+
+`An .xcodeproj file - this is a template (with skeleton code) for writing your program in Xcode`
+
+`Makefile template which ROCKS - all you have to do after is change the DEVICE you're`
+`  using along with PROGRAMMER and FUSES. (Will LINK my file here for reference `
+` email Q if i forget)`
+
+`main.c file that is just a stupid simple C template to get you started`
+
+In addition to the compiler and programming software, it's nice to have
+an [AVR Makefile](AVR_Makefile "wikilink") that automates the
+cross-compilation build process. Comment in/out the first few defines to
+match your environment.
+
+## Chips
+
+So you're set to program, but you need a couple chips. [This page at
+AVRFreaks](http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?module=Freaks%20Devices&func=viewDev)
+has some of the specs and all the datasheets in one place, but it's a
+bit overwhelming.
+
+A shortlist of the coolest chips includes:
+
+**Tiny13** -- Smallest and cheapest. 8 pins, 5 of them useful. 1k
+program memory. Goes everywhere. Cheaper and more versatile than a 555
+IC. Some hardware SPI/I2C support, but it's a pain to write for.
+
+**Tiny45** -- Another 8-pin, but with a high-speed (64MHz!) PWM clock
+and 4k of program memory. ~\$0.75 from Digikey. Can be made to run at
+16MHz+ using its internal oscillator, making firmware USB a reality.
+Some hardware SPI/I2C support like the Tiny13.
+
+**Tiny2313** -- 20 pins. It's the cheapest/smallest unit with \> 5
+usable pins. Hardware USART makes serial communication (e.g. with your
+computer) reasonably simple, which can be sweet for debugging or
+datalogging.
+
+**Mega 48** -- 28 pins. All of the bells and whistles, with 4k program
+memory. 6 ADC channels, buncha timers, SPI/I2C/USART communications.
+They'll do what you want.
+
+**Mega 88, 168** and beyond. A lot of power for under \$10. Overkill for
+most of my (Elliot's) small projects, but when you need the memory, you
+need the memory.
+
+Maybe we could do a few group purchases to get up to Digikey's
+price-break minimums. Interested? E-mail Elliot.
+
+And while you're at the AVRFreaks page, download both the long and short
+datasheets for whichever chips you end up buying. The short one has a
+nice pinout diagram on page two, while the long one explains everything
+you'll ever need to know.
+
+## Misc. Extras
+
+You're at least going to need some LED's to go blink. Pushbuttons are
+nice for playing around with inputs. Photocells give your creations
+sight. Motors and motor drivers give you legs. I'm sure there's more
+than enough scrounge around the space to get everyone started.
+
+[This
+Instructable](http://www.instructables.com/id/Ghetto-Development-Environment)
+details my current setup, and is a good start.
+
+[Category: AVR Tutorial](Category:_AVR_Tutorial "wikilink")