Maker madness.

How to create a low cost maker lab.

Hardware:
  PC: The one you might be using to read this blog?
  Mac: as above:
  Arduino open source hardware: @ $20 ebay and various vendors (the hardware of choice)
  PIC microcontroller starter kit: @ $40 from Microchip (PIC controllers end up more bang for the buck than ATMEL)
  Parallax 32 bit multicore microcontroller @$25 from Parallax (Serious power but a wierd programming concept. not at all mainstream and needs understanding.)
  Hand-held digital oscilliscope: @$50 from ebay (optional but a really excellent tool to have)
  Soldering iron: $20
  Various small tools, screwdrivers, wirecutters, etc.

Software:
  Microsoft Visual Studio express: Free...
  Arduino development system: Free... (Mac or PC)
  PIC development system: Free with PICKit mentioned above
  Parallax dev kit: Downloads for free from Parallax Inc.

Optional:
  If you can wangle a full version of Visual Studio get the VisualMicro Arduino development addin. This is brilliant BTW.

You can literally get going with programmable electronic coolness for the price of a half-way decent lunch in a restaurant near you someplace.