Propeller pro development board get started?

Prettybird

· I finally got my Parallax prop development board and didn't even start downloading stuff yet. Unlike the BS2 there is no software included. What should I start downloading and what and does parallax have·in adobe files to get started? I only got the Prop Ref. Manual and am broke now.··The Parallax pro development board is really a work of art. I am impressed and glad I didn't go generic. It has USB and RS232 sockets. Does that mean I can use either? I probally won't start on it till this weekend. Thanks again in advance as usual. I feel like I am going from the wading end to the deep end of the pool.

·

SRLM

Poke around the Obex for all the premade Propeller code. If you have a TV or VGA monitor handy, then you can run the graphics demo. With the L293 you can play around with stepper motors, or if you have a PS/2 keyboard or mouse you can try those.

hover1

Start with the stickies in the Propeller Forum. Run through all the Labs that Andy put together. That with take you a few weeks of experimenting. Then check the OBEX. Lot's of fun stuff there.

Start with programing with the USB port. The RS232 port is not configurged for anything, it's meant to wire how you like, just like the LED's , switches, etc.

Prettybird said...
· I finally got my Parallax prop development board and didn't even start downloading stuff yet. Unlike the BS2 there is no software included. What should I start downloading and what and does parallax have·in adobe files to get started? I only got the Prop Ref. Manual and am broke now.··The Parallax pro development board is really a work of art. I am impressed and glad I didn't go generic. It has USB and RS232 sockets. Does that mean I can use either? I probally won't start on it till this weekend. Thanks again in advance as usual. I feel like I am going from the wading end to the deep end of the pool.

Mike Green

Obviously, you'll need a copy of the Propeller Tool, particularly since it includes the font and I/O driver you'll need. You could download a copy of BradC's BST which does the same thing, but also can produce a formatted compiled code listing.

Look at the "Getting Started" sticky thread at the top of this forum's thread list. There are some good beginners' tutorials, particularly for assembly. Also download the Propeller Education Kit tutorials.

Download a copy of FemtoBasic from the Object Exchange and install it. It will let you easily play with the I/O pins and the cog counters without having to jump in immediately with Spin.

I think you normally would use the USB connection for programming and debugging. The RS232 interface is for data only as far as I know.

Agent420

Bandwidth is cheap ;-)· When I first got my Prop demo board I downloaded every file from the download page and every object in the Object Exchange.·· Within that pile of stuff is pretty much everything you need (well you don't really need all the links from the reference articles located in the bottom section).

Between the manual and Education Kit Fundamentals pdf files you should be able to get started.

At first I thought it was a bit odd that there was no schematic or reference for the Pro Board, but after looking at the close up image I can see why...· there's really nothing to it - all your breadboarding is identified on the board.· Still it would be nice if they had some Pro specific documentation... perhaps this is a new item?

·

hover1

And As Mike said, download the lastest IDE. After you intsall it, go to Help. You will find all the files for the Propeller Education Kit, and a bunch more! All your VGA, Keyboard, Mouse, TV drivers are already there!

Enjoy!
Jim

Whit

Check out Oldbitcollector's stuff too. It is here - http://www.warrantyvoid.us/tiki-index.php?page=Propeller

Look at the tutorials and have fun!

P.S. - After seeing your completed project (the Monster)·- I started to suggest giving the Prop a try - Looks like you figured it out yourself.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Post Edited (Whit) : 8/13/2009 11:39:15 PM GMT

CounterRotatingProps

Prettybird - you might want to DL the PE education kit software - it's got some nice, useful code snippets that you can add to your new prop tool box. Ditto what Mike said - the proptool has examples with it --- click on them and go!

- H

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Prettybird

Thanks again guys. I downloaded some stuff that may keep me busy but found another problem. My computer is an older Toshiba 2002 XP and dosen't have spin drivers or whatever. I don't want to get sucked into another $29/ year service for updating again. Is there a place where I can get drivers for free? I keep ending up on these pay sites using the search the internet way and found nothing on google. Mabe it is in the setup software I already got? I think my brain is burned out on computer now.

Post Edited (Prettybird) : 8/14/2009 3:55:09 AM GMT

jazzed

Try this: www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/sw/R9052151.zip
Which comes from: www.parallax.com/tabid/442/Default.aspx
Which also has the Propeller Tool and other good stuff.

Hope you have bread-board jumper wires.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Prettybird

I'll give it a shot. No shortage of electronics, just programming skills.· I got it. Thanks guys.

Post Edited (Prettybird) : 8/14/2009 5:05:42 AM GMT