Does the PICAXE merit its own section in the forums? Is there significant overlap between it an the PICs? I gather from the name that the hardware is the same, but is it same enough?
The underlying hardware is the same but there are some differences in how the PICAXE bootstrap addresses that hardware. For example, because of the in circuit serial programming, the 08m is essentially missing an extra i/o line when compared with the PIC 12F683 that it is based on. Then there is the language which is probably most similar to the BS1. I guess though thats not a whole lot different from those out there using pBasic? (I dunno I havent.)
I think its great that Sparkfun is carrying this line. The just released 14m and 28x1 are going to be great products. The only downside Ive ran into is not having an OSX editor which is a bummer in the US educational or art/design markets. Having their own forum here would be great, although rev-ed has a good forum community of their own if not for an old school forum.
Brian
I don’t think a dedicated PICAXE thread is in order, the rev-ed one is already huge and a great source for help and ideas. I want to thank the folks at SparkFun for carring the PICAXE products. I came back to the fold thanks to the Basic Stamps and have moved to the PICAXE line for all my future projects. Having a great supplier right here in Cali makes the move even sweeter! Thanks SparkFun!
M