Question about latest mpguino setup
 

Was looking through the opengauge source folder and saw the new mpguino diagram (v1.3). It uses the atmega328 chip, but has a few extra connections

A1
A2
RX
TX
PB2
PB3
AR

These were not on the previous diagram so I was trying to figure them out. I did some looking through the forums to find info on this new diagram.

I was able to find this page

hxxp://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/differences-between-prebuilt-mpguino-code-official-code-14751.html

In which a member states there is no arduino dependency. :)
So I'm assuming that chip can just be programmed outside circuit and put back in, hook up vss-injector-battery-ground and you are good to go? Or is it a bit more complicated?

I program them with ISP, technically they do not need programming outside, but I hate explaining programming, but yes it is completely doable thousands upon thousands of people have figured out how to program these chips. Yes it can be a little complicated, but all those pins were pulled out specifically for experimentation by the adventurous.

Got it, so this is just like the ISP circuits used in programming PIC chips, super useful. Not asking for programming tutorial, I know it's like the fish and fishing pole story. :)

So before I even get started I still need some sort of programmer to get the code on there. So I will need something like

USBtinyISP
USBtinyISP - Inexpensive USB AVR Programmer

or even simple parallel programmer?
Arduino - ParallelProgrammer

So just out of curiosity, what would be an example of what you could do with those extra pins?