PIC examples or tutorial for P8048

First time poster

Although I am from an electronics background, PIC programming and PICs in general are a mystery to me. Is there a tutorial and/or example programs I could buy or download to familiarise myself with the concept as it relates to this product? I bought the P8048’1, (Serial port version), some time ago.

Also, once a program has been made, is there a simple PCB I can buy on which to transfer the PIC for general use?

I work for the National Health Service in the UK and can see a great use for PICs as a switch modifier to enable patients to use environmental control equipment. (Eg possum.co.uk/freeway.htm )

So, for instance, someone with a severe tremor may need a switch output so that a conventional N/O switch will effectively close just the once even if you press it many times over a preset time of 2 seconds for example. (Hope that made sense?) This will allow a patient to use the above equipment thus enhancing their quality of life.

Any guides or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Tony

I have now two example programs in C for the K8048:
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/micro/k8048/. They are compiled using CC5X (free edition).
There are also some assembler programs for K8048/VM111 on http://dev.kewl.org/k8048/Doc/.

One can build projects on lab boards (solderless) and then solder them together on prototype boards (with similar layout as lab boards).
Lab board:
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/edu/ellaraa/4usd-link.jpg
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/edu/ellaraa/raknare.jpg
Prototype board:
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/edu/ellaraa/kretskort-komp.jpg
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/edu/ellaraa/kretskort-lod.jpg
http://www.df.lth.se/~mikaelb/edu/ellaraa/zx81-komp.jpg