To run enter ponyprog in a console, or Menu->Utility->PonyProg.If you are looking for a simple but powerful programmer you are right, it's here.
PonyProg is a serial device programmer software with a user friendly GUI framework available for Windows95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and Intel Linux. Its purpose is reading and writing every serial device. At the moment it supports I²C Bus, Microwire, SPI eeprom, the Atmel AVR and Microchip PIC micro.
SI-Prog is the programmer hardware interface for PonyProg.
With PonyProg and SI-Prog you can program Wafercard for SAT, eeprom within GSM, TV or CAR-RADIO. Furthermore it can be used as a low cost starter kit for PIC and AVR.
(N.B. Since I haven't bought a suitable serial cable, or development board, as yet, I'm unable to verify how well this app works with puppy. Also note, that if you use a serial modem to connect, & click Setup, it will most likely kick you off the net).