Comments: What is an Arduino?

Arduino is an open hardware development that is used by developers, engineers, and manufacturers to compose new equipment that collaborates with the real world. It supports both real and programmable circuit boards repeatedly with the help of a microcontroller. The software or IDE (Integrated Development Environment) manages the integration of the board with a computer or laptop. You can also use a computer or MAC keyboard shortcuts.

Hello Sparkfun,

I am new to Arduino. I understand DC circuits, Ohm's law, parallel and serial circuits, digital multi meter use and basic soldering skills.

Many electronic kits have been built from Chaney and Velleman and Ramsey mostly related to LED sequencing and displays.

As a result an interest has been developed in 1. Activating devices using sensors like the Parallax PIR sensor http://www.parallax.com/product/555-28027?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

2. Activating sound devices that play MP3 or other stereo audio from SD or Micro SD cards or USB flash drives with PIR sensors.

3. Activating complex LED diplays with PIR sensors.

So I am going to purchase a board to get my feet wet with Arduino systems and programming.

So my question is: Should I start with the UNO or the Red Board (or other?)
While I am not a rich man the five dollar difference in price is not an issue. One difference I see is the the RedBoard uses a mini-B USB connector whule the UNO uses a mini-USB connector But do not both types have a standard USB connector at the other end? http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics--Male--Female-Extension-Cable/dp/B001TH7GV4/ref=lp_464394_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1416848508&sr=1-10 If so, then this is not an issue for me either.

The real issue is one or the other easier for a beginner?

Thanks.

Allen in Dallas