Microchip is definately the best for beginner project, maybe even for any level. Wide variety of devices, including developemnet boards, very inexpensive, and tons of expert support via PDFs, forums, application notes. A lot of vendor support too. Possibly the best thing about them is MPLAB, an easy to learn visual integrated developement enviroment. Buy a PicKit2, download MPLAB and you're on your way. I've been using some of their 16 bit DSP microcontrollers. Lots of buffered ports and on board devices, like ADC, CAN, I2C, quadrature encoder inputs, event capture pins....160MHz with 2 cycle instructions. I don't work for them or stand to gain by plugging them. I've used MC68000, Intel 8085 and 8051 types in projects, PICs are my favorite. Even if other companies have comparable products, they don't have near the varied array of offerings. Pat