Hi C
Don't forget Oshonsoft also has an AVR compiler. I use PICs or AVRs depending which best suits what I'm trying to do. There are a few noticeable differences like 0=Input and 1=Output also no TRIS just DDR (direction), another difference is that configuration (MCLR,BODEN etc) is set onto the chip not part of the program as with the PIC. After you've figured that out it's pretty much the same. Oshonsoft has lots of support for older 16 bit processors, IMO that's not such a bad thing for newbies because the chips are cheap, Cheap as Chips?
You can think of the Arduino as a development board that allows AVRs to be programmed so it's pretty much the same as programming a PIC/AVR in circuit with a PICIT2/3 or AVR programmer. I've never used anArduino that's just based upon what I've seen so my analogy may not be 100%
This forum has both professional and amateur members who have totally different viewpoints.
8 bit suits me fine and I doubt if I'll ever move to 16 bit, cheap chips also suits me just fine. When I first started, if I made a mistake and destroyed the Micro, the loss of £1-3 didn't put me in need of psychiatric help! Same goes for through hole technology, I do use some 1206 SMDs but I can't see anything smaller ;-)
I also buy lots of stuff on Ebay because it's cheap. I've only had a few bad items (DS18B20) so now I do stick to known suppliers.
Professionals are unlikely to share this viewpoint and my guess is they won't trust Ebay, that said where does Farnell/RS/Rapid much of it's stuff from? But at least you have some comeback with them, China is a black hole
I like Oshonsoft too but I am dissapointed with the latest developments, of the 3 or 4 Basic Compilers I tried I liked Oshonsoft best and...my favorite word it's cheap!