Thanks Tumbleweed.
I had a recollection that Optiloader was the default bootloader for the UNOs or at least R3.
Or perhaps I'm not accurate or it's a modified version used.
searching now
wondering what if any linitations Optiloader comes with.
Able to use Atmel's software etc.
And if I'm using 2 Arduinos to program and load bootloader
is it wise to have a non-UNO and an UNO?
All this is towards being able to do the very cool and inexpensive
bare-bones, only what's needed, chips and a few parts thing.
UPDATE: this is getting very interesting, foggy still yet very interesting.
limitations to this route? 2 Arduinos. (besides the wiring of course)
I'm gonna need to figure out that I assume rightly? that the bootloader
is non-standard and stays IN the programmed chip, this does or does not affect
what software can be used to program?
Or perhaps one MUST use optiloader to load the bootloader AND the sketch?
What benefits are there to one UNO and the Atmel programmer?
UPDATE 2: appears that optiboot IS the R3's stock bootloader now, hence the
feature of more space for code. correct. yes.
AND, that optiboot is only for loading the bootloader, which I guess
means that I can put the chip into the arduino and program it WITH
the atmel software OR any other software that normally works
with an UNO R3?
Optiboot does not interfere with what software can be used to program
it's only for upoloading the bootloader. yes?
?:-]