[Mycroft Holmes]

The ATTiny is exactly the right approach for this sort of thing. You can build interesting little devices to do stuff that interests you that ***you can't buy***

You will learn assembly and how a modern microprocessor works in detail and how to program in C. If you have a PC and an internet connection you can get the very best of programmers (the Dragon) for a mere $50.

This is a sweet deal folks. If you are interested in this sort of thing this is the way to go.

[Bobalu]

I have a couple of Dragons here..they are nice.

You can find AVR programmers on ebay from China for as little as 3.99 with shipping included. I have not tried using them but I suppose I could get one and see if it would be suitable for use by novices following a tutorial.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USBASP-USBISP-AVR-Programmer-USB-ATMEGA8-ATMEGA128-/180768377568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a16a28ae0

[killermosquito]

Can you elaborate:

“If you have a PC and an internet connection you can get the very best of programmers (the Dragon) for a mere $50.”

[ctdonath2]

Just arriving on the scene now is the Rasberry Pi - a serious computer for just $25. Yes - $25. You supply the HDMI monitor and USB keyboard/storage/network, it gives you an otherwise normal computer capable of HD 1080p video. Great for learning programming as you can devote a whole computer to it with no concerns about "messing it up" for little more than pocket change.