NetArt explores a number of contexts makes use of several platforms. Some we will use in depth, others only peripherally.
You should get them installed ASAP.
I may add more over the course of term, depending on how things unfold.
Arduino
Download and install the latest Arduino software.
Then install the extension for ESP32. We will be using Uno’s and Adafruit Huzzah32, ESP32 Feather in this course. The latter require a special configuration of Arduino. You can follow Mariana’s process for this step.
Reach out if you can’t access the link.
Glitch
If you don’t have a Glitch account, get one. BTW, Glitch chose to update its entire interface in January 2022 — this broke a ton of tutorials and functions. They are working on it — but it reduces the value of this platform for now. We were always going move beyond glitch — this may just force us to do it sooner.
Regardless — a glitch account can make some things easier.
shiftr.io
shiftr.io is a public facing, mostly free MQTT broker. We will begin with it fairly early on. I have set up some public facing brokers — but you will probably want your own account for playing around.
Atom
Download and install Atom for your platform. Atom is a text editor that will allow us to do much of the course work. I will use it A LOT.
It can be used for Arduino, P5js and Node.js development. It also crosses over with a lot of Glitch functions.
Once you have Atom installed, we will extend its functionality with some additional Packages. Packages add additional functionality to the base editor allowing you to customize for different workflows
Here is an in depth discussion of installing and using Packages
TLDR
Open Atom, then –
Atom–> Packages–> Settings View –> Open
This should open the Core Settings tab with many menu options. On the left select + Install.
This will switch to the Install Packages view. On the right you should now see a search bar along with other functions. Make sure that the Packages button to the right of the search bar is selected. You will type package names into this bar and once a Package is found, click install (blue button) in the lower right of the Package description.
In the image above you can see two package descriptions. The top one, atom-live-server is installed on my system so the bottom options are Uninstall and Disable. This allows one to turn various Packages on and off to test functionality.
Immediately below this is a package I do not have installed — atom-live-server-plus v3.0.1. In this case, note that the bottom right button is for install.
As you begin to work with Atom you will notice there are lots of variations on some Packages. It worth playing with different ones from time to time to see what they add to your life. Some forks of main packages are vanity projects and you will find yourself uninstalling them immediately.
Package list
Here are some Packages we will need to get us started (these are ones I use — these are not endorsements, and I don’t claim they are the best — they just get it done for me. If you find better ones, let me know and I will add here):
- atom-live-server (v2.3.0)
- teletype (0.13.4)
- markdown-preview (0.160.2)
- github (0.36.10)
- snippets (1.6.0)
- terminal-tab (0.6.0)
If it spell check does not come installed as part of base, then also add one — I use:
- spell-check (0.77.1)
That should tons to get us rolling.
Github
We will be using Github to varying degrees. You will need an account to use teletype in Atom. There are several layers and interfaces to using Github. We will build this up slowly over the course of term.
Github Downloads
NOTE: At some point we may add command line Github functionality — but not yet.
Node.js
We will use Node.js to build servers. To do this we need to install the engine.
Node is largely a a command line tool — we will get to that in a few weeks. Good to have it on hand.
Install here. For this course it makes most sense to install the LTS ( long term support ) release. at time of writing that would be v16.13.2. If you want grab the current release. We are not that bleeding edge tho.
CoolTerm
At some point we will need a terminal program fancier than the one installed with Arduino. It will be used for viewing and debugging serial communication. Most operating systems have a built in version — but this will give us some cross platform consistency, making it easier to teach.
Download coolTerm here. Scroll down, on last access (Jan 2022) coolTerm is still the first program available a this link.