1. That i would need an FTDI cable to change my twitter username. This should really be shown right at the start, so you can get your cable before you need it, since it takes a few days to arrive. Ideally right when you buy the kit!
2. That you need to install (VCOM) drivers for an FTDI cable! You can get them here:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
If you’re on a Mac, make sure to install 2.2.10, NOT 2.1.10. It will require a reboot.
3. From the docs: “When you are ready to upload the code, select the correct serial port and NG board type on the Tools menu”. This made me want to tear out my own eyes. What are the correct settings!!?
For me, the serial port was /dev/tty.usbserial-FTE4Y19Y. If you don’t have one that looks like that (on a mac), then the FTDI driver isn’t installed, or the cable isn’t plugged in.
The board type (for everyone i assume) should be “Arduino NG or older w/ ATmega168”. That was posted in the forum, but not in the docs.
4. The ‘Serial Monitor’ in the Arduino software is not in any of the menus – it’s the rightmost button on the toolbar. You should see 5 “moist: x” messages for every “watered: x” message. At bootup the console just says “Botanicalls v2.15”, *not* what the docs say.
5. If you get an error like “timed out on reset – check xport”, try resetting your board (hit the reset button) and waiting for it to reboot. That cleared some weirdness for me.
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