What is the cheap and good way to make a serial (RS232) programmer for AVR atMega and atTiny? There are several circuits in the Internet, but which one is better?
I'd like to be able to program my controller from Linux and Windows using some standard tools.
Try the Serial port AVR programmer (DASA) Kit from Adafruit Industries. It's only $7.50, is very popular with the Arduino community, and she provides step by step instructions for assembly on her personal site.
If you don't want to build it yourself, Sparkfun Electronics has several serial programmers available for a bit more money.