cheaper, smaller, and less capable than an Arduino

[Rob Seastrom]

Digistump ( http://digistump.com ) has been selling a cool little ATTINY85-on-a-USB-plug module that's only $7.95.  They have stackable expansion boards.

Difficulty to set up was about twice as bad as an Arduino, since you have to set up the Arduino IDE, and then add a driver.  So about 4 minutes instead of 2.

Forums/wiki here:  http://digistump.com/wiki/digispark

And of course Shenzhen provides, with knock-offs for A BUCK SIXTY NINE EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING... (I bought ten, and believe it or not they actually came with the bootloader installed; I was bracing for a goat rope to make them usable).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digispark-Kickstarter-ATTINY85-Arduino-Micro-USB-Development-Board-/201315743180?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

-r