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Pinguino is an Arduino-like board based on a PIC Microcontroller. The goal of this project is to build an integrated IDE easy to use on LINUX, WINDOWS and MAC OS X. Arduino is a powerful tool with some defaults. One of its inconveniences are a no native USB interface on the chip and its code length.

The IDE of Pinguino is built with Python. An integrated preprocessor translates specific Arduino instructions directly into C. This preprocessor reduces the code length and the execution speed. Pinguino hardware is based on a 18F2550. This chip has an integrated native USB module and an UART for serial link.

Pinguino – [Link]

Sparkfun writes:

This is a USB to UART board that allows easy reprogramming of the LilyPad main board without the need for soldering. This board is based on the FT232RL IC from FTDI.

Features:

• Implements full v2.0 USB protocol
• Needs no external crystal
• Internal EEPROM for device ID and Product Description strings
• Royalty-Free Driver support for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X

[via]
New LilyPad Arduino programmer from Sparkfun - [Link]

Don’t know anything about Embedded Electronics? Start here! Sparkfun has put together a nice lecture collection. Here it is:

Lecture 1 – What’s a microcontroller? Breadboard power supply
Lecture 2 – Loading code and compiler basics
Lecture 3 – Oscillators and fuse bits
Lecture 4 – UART and serial communication
Lecture 5 – AVR GCC and printf compiling
Lecture 6 – Soldering basics
Lecture 7 – SMD soldering Simon!
Lecture 8 – Eagle: Schematics
Lecture 9 – Eagle: PCB layout
Lecture 10 – Eagle: Creating a new part
Common Mistakes – Tips and tricks