avr lpt 74ls244 programmer
A quite easy programmer is the ponyprog interface:
The software is among the most complete for one that doesn't use AVR Studio.
Another even simpler one I've used before is:
http://www.speedy-bl.com/avr-prog-e.htm
http://www.speedy-bl.com/adapter-e.htm
Either use a parallel port adaptor on first link or Sercon2 on the second.
This programmer software has size limitation unless you register it though.
if you're willing to try something not quite simple, give this a go:
**broken link removed**
These are working plans to build a completely atmel compatable JTAG adaptor. The catch is the adaptor itself requires and ATmega16 so you'll have to build a simple serial programmer or something anyway for a start. Unfortunately the second programmer I suggested above wont program this micro unless it's registered, as it has a size limitation.
If you don't know what the Jtag adaptor is, well it allows you to program and debug a micro in-circuit using AVR Studio, you can step through the code, set breakpoints, watch registers/variables, the works, all as it's running on the chip itself so you can see it affecting the hardware as you're stepping. I'd had a lend of an official atmel jtag before I made my own from these plans, and the home made one actually works more smoothly than the official one. Once you've experienced in circuit debugging you'll wonder how you ever developed without it
Corona