Hi Frans,

I find that I will use a small PIC (e.g., 12C508A) when I need to build a small, stand-alone minimum component project. Otherwise I tend towards 8052 family parts...although recently I've been using more small AVR parts because of their built-in ADC.

But then again, the AVR has the same single-source problem as the PICs.

Use what works best for what you need to do. The datasheets already referenced and the tutorials here will give you a good start for 8052s.

Good luck!

Dennis