Hi,
I have been using the basic stamp for my projects for 3 years. However I have just purchased a basic atom and would like to use some of my BS2 programs with the basic atom. What are the main differences I would need to consider? thanks. 
The Atom has no memory slots like the stamp. You are free to program without worrying about those darn 2k slots.
Pin assignments, there is no āPINā command
The debug formatters are very different from the stamp. The stamp has the ability to print in an x/y fashion and the Atom does not have the same flexibility. Off the top of my head, those are just a few differences.
You can download the Atom Manual and look it over and you will see all the small differences. The atom is way better than the stamp, but there will be a small learning curve since the Atom has hardware capabilities not found on the stamp and new commands to utilize the built in hardware.
Iām not sure what MCU you have? Hereās the link to pick your flavor:
Thanks for the reply, I have the Atom. Mainly got it for the analogue to digital channels. Again appreciate the help.
Actually Atom and AtomPro debug windows are supposed to support these ascii codes but there isa bug in them. Iām fixing this. The codes are:
CLEARSCREEN = decimal 0
HOME = decimal 1
MOVETO = decimal 2 followed by the x and y coordinate to move to
MOVELEFT = decimal 3
MOVERIGHT = decimal 4
MOVEUP = decimal 5
MOVEDOWN = decimal 6
BELL = decimal 7
BACKSPACE = decimal 8
TAB = decimal 9
LINEFEED = decimal 10
CLEARRIGHT = decimal 11
CLEARDOWN = decimal 12
CARRIAGERETURN = decimal 13
DRAWLEFT = decimal 14
DRAWRIGHT = decimal 15
DRAWUP = decimal 16
DRAWDOWN = decimal 17
SETCOLOR = decimal 18 folowed by the R,G and B color values
DRAWLINE = decimal 19 followed by the X1,Y1,X2 and Y2 coordinates to draw the line.
DRAWCIRCLE = decimal 20 followed by the X,Y and Diameter
DRAWSOLIDCIRCLE = decmial 21 followed by the X,Y and Diameter
FLOODFILL = decimal 22 followed by the X and Y coordinate
Wow, I did not know you could assign an x/y cordinate for debug! Great! 
If you want the max A/D channels, make sure you get the latest rev āDā Atom board. It uses the 16F886 PIC, and has more A/D inputs available.
Ask what chip will be shipped before ordering! (donāt ask me why).
Alan KM6VV
It would be great if some of this information (like the debug window stuff) in the help files and/or sticky posts and/or the wiki. Is this the same for the other terminals?
Kurt
P.S- I wonder if some of us should try adding information like this to the wiki?
Thanks for the help lads.Already have the atom, any idea where Iād find out the revision, Itās not on the chip or surround. Ordered it last week and it came from the UK to ireland and who knows how long it was since it left the states 
Also on the basic atom software downloads there are three versions V2.2.1.1 and new version V5.3.1.0 and a beta release V5.3.1.3 Iām guessing just the new version V5.3.1.0 is the one to download anyone any reason otherwise?
I havenāt verified it, but I suspect the IDE can recognize the version. There is Atom28 and Atom28D. Perhaps in the programming phase.
The A/D wonāt work on P0-P3 (?) from what I understand. I ordered my Atom28 about 04/02/09 (April). āDā parts arenāt shipping yet.
Iād go with the V5.3.1.0 for now, unless you really need a new feature. Watch out for the format of the A/D instruction serin, it doesnāt match the current manual.
Alan KM6VV
Thanks for the help Alan, Iām sure Iāll be turning to yours and the forums experience as I learn more.
Well that is encouraged! Beth entered all of the Atom Pro manual into the Wiki herself. Letās not let all her hard work go to waste. Everyone! Please do go to the wiki, add example programs, notes, information. Feed it! lol
Hi lads,
Have started the ball rolling with the atom. Unfortunately I am immediately having problems.
I am using software 5.3.1.0 with usb to serial converter, I have used this succesfully with my BS2 on bot board connecting to ssc32, with the basic atom on the bot board 2. Using a bread board as developement area.
When I go to tools - system set up - find devices it finds none. So I set the com port manually to correct port. Using first simple flash led program I get conection, power error etc.
However while the set up is connected to my pc the LEDās on the bot board flash sequentially at a high frequency. Then when I turn power on to VL the LEDās flash brighter and at a lower frequency.
I also have tried on my lap top with a serial port and DB9 cable with the exact results as above. Hopefully something simple enough to correct, any and all help appreciated. 
first two stops are hereā¦
serial port troubleshootingā¦
lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?t=4702
basic atom programmingā¦
lynxmotion.com/images/html/build147.htm
If you canāt get it to work then please give us much more informationā¦
make and model of PC and OS.
make and model of USB to serial cable.
As far as programming the Atom. You just open or create a program, click program.
Hi, Using windows XP and USB 2.0 to rs232 serial Db9 adaptor with usb cable.
Have followed the tutorial as linked. The thing is I have a serial port on my lap top and when I use the BB2 with the DB9 to my lap top serial port I get the same results as stated before, i.e
green power led on on BB2 , A B C leds coming on in sequence A to C then off and start again. Speaker making low click noise.
In IDE - tools - system set up I fail in attempt to find devices, hardware test also gives same result as when I hit program, ācould not connect! 1 check comport settings 2.check serial cable connection 3.check power connection.ā
Have played around in Advance settings and readinterval. Have even tried older version of atom IDE V2.2.1.1
Apologies for repeating myself was a bit sketchy with earlier descriptions. Thanks for your help, Hopefully a new day will shine a light on it.
What you are describing is the test code that is programmed to each module before it is shipped. Every I/O is blinked in sequence.
As for connecting to program you should provide more details about the model of USB to Serial adapter you are using. Not all are made the same. Some donāt support the control lines(eg DTR).
Many PCās actually have the USB serial port architecture inside even if they have DB9 ports. You should still look into the settings in device manager. Read carefully the serial port troubleshooting guide. the speed and timing to program a BS2 is minimal. The speed and timing to program an Atom is much more demanding. However from what I have read you are not getting sporadic programming. You are dead in the water. It possible that you are using the wrong IDE, or the wrong chip. Atoms are green and Proās are red. Your processor green?
the manufacturer of my USB to serial adaptor is FTDI. Tried updating the driver. The PCās op system is windows XP home.
I have been trying without the adaptor with my lap tops serial port and DB9 cable but still no joy. Lap top is running windows XP professional. Itās getting quite frustrating. Thanks for the help, Iām sure Iāll work it out eventually.
first it is important to make certain you are connecting to the same COM port in the software as your BB is attached to. a simple test is to make a loopback jumper by connecting pins 2 and 3 on the DB-9 and use a terminal program to see if what you type is returned to you. I usually starrt with the loopback removed, type a few characters to determine if local echo is turned on, install the loopback, and then see if characters I type are being returned. If the local echo IS on youāll actually see what you typed twice!
once you know what port is being used you can use Device Manager to access the Port Settings, Advancedā¦ button to set Latency Timer (msec) = 1. On the newer FTDI drivers this should be all you need to adjust.
Thanks for the help guys, there was no doubt I had it set to look at the correct com port from the start. I did have success after messing with the USB transfer sizes and latency timer in advance port settings. Only became clear after Eddieās reply as to which setting was the deciding factor.
Itās been a positive experience and is very reassuring to know that the forum is an extremely useful tool. Again many thanks for all the replies, help and patience! Iām sure Iāll need it again! 