Hi Andy,

The easiest way to that heaven of 8051.

Get the book " The 8051 Microcontroller"

By Prof. I Scott Makenzie:

Contact Amazon. for ordering or else where you can find it.

This book is for clean beginners. Read the review on this book on Amazon.

I guarantee just going trhough first six chapters only, (above a 100 pages) you will be programing like me :)

Because first six chapters complete basic tutorials, the rest of the book is just to drive you more disciplined.

Believe me, I have other books and stuff as well, but Mackenzie is the best I found.

Don't use C, I have never used it,
(I would use if I knew C).

After Mackenzie, come back to 8052.com, then you will be in a better position to understand on-line tuturials. These are excellent tutorials by Craig.

After that, come back to this forum.

Don't use Developers boards, build one for yourself in the begining only to see the code running (ask me how to....)
Get professional boards only when you really need them.

Anydy:
There is an old saying on our side,

"The best weapon in the world is useless for a soldier if he doesn't have the courage to fight without a weapon"

There has to be a programer in your head. The tools only let you implement the programs.......... I hope you get my point.

Take an inexpensive start.

Best of Luck

Babar/