go here and buy the uPICFAT. I have it and it works AWESOME! All you need is to connect a ICD2 (I suggest microchips ICD2) into the 6pin telephone connector and hook it up. Works like a beauty. Very well made and comes with a LCD screen, 3 buttons, reset button, adapter/power supply, 9pin extension cord, tons of I/0 pins, uses the new and better 18F452, and has expansion space beyond belief. Includes space for a usb experimenting board. I highly suggest it, as it is your safest option. As for software, I would then download MPLAB from microchip, and then download the 18F complier software. all that you can find under Microchips website. Links are below. Please follow my list of instructions and get the following:
uPICFAT ----->
www.crosstheroadelectronics.com [Then contact him via email about pricing and stuff]
MPLAB ----->**broken link removed**
C18 Student Compiler ----->**broken link removed**
MPLAB ICD2 ----->**broken link removed**
A good C programming book -----> local book store, look around for a really good one!
NOTE: The uPICFAT is a development board, meaning it has all the stuff you would need for your microcontroller (power supply, crystal, etc). All you need now is to connect the I/0 pins to a breadboard and have fun! You can leave the chip in without risking bent pins. Please buy it, its worth it!