[foobert]

you're really going to need a windows system, or a linux box running wine, because the compiler is windows only. i run linux most of the time, but have a windows partition on my laptop where i've installed mplab, mcc18 and the ifiloader. i run the programmer through a usb to serial converter that cost around 20 bucks. tried to build a programmer myself, but gave up and got the prototype from vexlabs. there's a little pic on the programmer in addition to the rs232 level converter you'd expect. like i said, works great, except for the $99 hole in my wallet and that i have to boot windows to run the compiler.