I'm getting closer to start programming ATmega644/1284 because I found it is possible to do so, through the Sanguino project. Right now I have seen there is no activity in the Sanguino's Google Code Page and I really don't know if it will work properly with my Arduino IDE 1.6.9. Also I don't know if there is enough community support about sanguino issues.
Is Sanguino still a good choice for programming 644/1284 as an Arduino board?
Is there any other tools to program 644/1284 through user-frieandly Arduino IDE?
You should check out my development board I sell --> DIP-40 Arduino development board. It's designed together with MighyCore, which is the most feature rich and updated ATmega8535/16/32/164/324/644/1284 Arduino core. It got all the functions you need on a dev board (plus the AVR pinout, not only the Arduino pinout) including:
a double IO row (both male and female)
onboard potentiometer for analog reference (LCD contrast for instance)
an onboard USB to serial adapter
It actually beautiful (compared to other dev boards around here)
I think mine is very pretty also. It's just not blue. http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
I use a module for the USB/Serial, so you can have one or not, onboard or offboard. Battery-backed RTC, fully buffered SD card, RS232 buffer and 3-pin header to connect to +/-10V RS232 signals to a DB9 connector, prototype area to add some circuitry (such as a 433 MHz Rx or Tx board, or nrf24L01+ board, or an IC or some LEDs), signal-power-gnd at each header location next to each female header, jumper selectable DTR enable signal, jumper selectable or 5V regulator power selection and optional screw terminals to connect to all 32 IO and 3.3V, 5V, Gnd. Unused gates in the 5V to 3.3V buffer and the 3.3V to 5V buffer are also brought out for access.
CrossRoads:
I think mine is very pretty also. It's just not blue. Cross Roads Electronics
I use a module for the USB/Serial, so you can have one or not, onboard or offboard. Battery-backed RTC, fully buffered SD card, RS232 buffer and 3-pin header to connect to +/-10V RS232 signals to a DB9 connector, prototype area to add some circuitry (such as a 433 MHz Rx or Tx board, or nrf24L01+ board, or an IC or some LEDs), signal-power-gnd at each header location next to each female header, jumper selectable DTR enable signal, jumper selectable or 5V regulator power selection and optional screw terminals to connect to all 32 IO and 3.3V, 5V, Gnd. Unused gates in the 5V to 3.3V buffer and the 3.3V to 5V buffer are also brought out for access.
I have a different design philosophy. My goal was to create a great base unit with lots of 5V, 3,3V and ground connection points, all programming interface headers populated, and both male and female pin headers. Getting all the necessary/important pin peripherals printed on the board was also important. If you need extra functionality like RF, RS232, RTC, SD card or Wifi functionality, you can just hook it up when needed. External modules are literally free if you buy them on the interwebz IMO a development board shouldn't be used in a finished product/project. You would ether design your own PCB for this (etch yourself or get it manufactured) or use a photo board. It's MUCH cheaper
Wow, guys, your answers are great enough to make me programming a 644 right now!!! Thank you very much...I'll look both options (hansibull's and CrossRoads's). They are both interesting about prototyping and programming, sure it will be the basic setup to start with.
IMO a development board shouldn't be used in a finished product/project. You would ether design your own PCB for this (etch yourself or get it manufactured) or use a photo board. It's MUCH cheaper 
