how to go to STM32 / Arm

I'd like to play around with higher end processors like the STM32.

Any idea what the next logical step is for me?
What IDE?

Is there some basic article anywhere to help me make this jump?

I use the Rowley CrossWorks IDE for ARM development:

It's excellent, with good support.

The ST Discovery boards are very good value, and ideal for learning about ARM devices.

Do you often go to the Ford dealer and talk to them about upgrading to a Chevy? Do you think that they keep a lot of material on hand to help you with that process?

Now, if you went to the Chevy dealer and talked to them about upgrading from a Ford, I suspect you'd get much better treatment.

How does one choose from so many if these IDE's?
I'm sure that one is nice, but it's $$ - the free ones not usable?

As far as upgrading, I'm not. Ardunos have a great place for the low end, and I want both ends of the spectrum. A second car if you will.
Can you suggest a "Chevy" forum?

The free ones are usable, but most have restrictions and I've found them much harder to use than the Rowley tools (I also use their MSP430 software). Try them and see which you prefer.

I run the LPC2000 Yahoo group for users of the NXP ARM devices:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/lpc2000/?yguid=293062608

I suggest you try Teensy 3.0 PJRC Store also http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulstoffregen/teensy-30-32-bit-arm-cortex-m4-usable-in-arduino-a.

I have one and it uses the Arduino IDE with gnu ARM tools. It's real easy to use. You just unzip the IDE like the standard Arduino IDE.

Soon, October 22, Arduino will release the Due http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/due.pdf. I suspect it will also be easy to install and use.

I also recommend the LaunchPad Stellaris from Texas Instruments.

It features a LM4F-ARM with FPU, 256KB of flash and 32 KB of RAM, for USD13.

Among the many development tools, Energia is a fork of Arduino.

Learn more:

Does energia support the Arm launch pad?

Sure, Energia supports LaunchPad MSP430 and LaunchPad ARM-based Stellaris.

avenue33:
Sure, Energia supports LaunchPad MSP430 and LaunchPad ARM-based Stellaris.

yes, it works quite well. For example:

Energia supports LaunchPad MSP430 and LaunchPad ARM-based Stellaris.

They should fix some of their home/wiki pages. Mention of "StellarPad" support is buried in the fine print.

Homepage:

Energia is a rapid electronics prototyping platform for the Texas Instruments msp430 LaunchPad. Energia is based on Wiring and Arduino and uses the Processing IDE. The sources for the project are on the Energia github.com project page.

Github Readme.md:

Energia is a fork of Arduino for the Texas Instruments MSP430 Micro Controller.