For the MIDIbox project it is not required to purchase an expensive, “ready-made” programmer in order to get the firmware into the PIC.

Instead you could buy a pre-programmed PIC from SmashTV or Mike, you could ask in the MIDIbox Forum for help, or you could build a PIC programmer by yourself. There are many schematics available on the web. The MBHP_BURNER module is one of such DIY programmers, and it works reliable.

explain the term programming, because it could be confusing for non-technicans