Big Button - Part 2 - About this Tutorial
Wed, Dec 25, 2024
|3 min read
|
Table of Contents
How to Use This Tutorial Series?
I completly understand that some of you do not have access to lots of the maker/hardware tools outlined in some of the following tutorial steps.
Some may only be interested in either the physical maker methods, while others may only be interested in the microcontroller/software part.
That is perfectly ok!
The following steps and lessons will be laid out such that you will be able to complete only the software part with a microcontroller, the hardware/manufacturing part, or both.
Each tutorial section will be labeled as one or both tag labels:
| Tag | Description | Components |
|---|---|---|
| 💻 HACKER | Microcontroller setup and programming | Microcontroller, input/output components, programming tools and code |
| ⚒️ MAKER | Physical manufacturing | Making, wiring, mounting. complete physical setup. For maker space/culture enthusiasts |
So for example, if you only intend to set up and program your microcontroller with some basic components, only read sections tagged as 💻 HACKER, and skip anything labeled ⚒️ MAKER.
Over the course of these tutorials we will clearly label what is needed for each label/path.
In general we will first focus on items marked as 💻 HACKER, before finishing up the tutorial with ⚒️ MAKER type of steps.
NOTE
Understand what you will get out of this project for each label/path.
You can comfortably only follow the 💻 HACKER path, however without the ⚒️ MAKER steps, you cannot make a whole and complete product, leaving you with raw elecronics.
On the other hand, if you are only wanting to replicate the physical manufacturing process of this project and follow ⚒️ MAKER steps, you will end up learning some cool maker things, but without the complete product.
Is This For You?
Ok. You might be wondering if this whole thing is for you. Well, in this seciton I will try my best to roughly and objectively map out the skillset, experience, and knowledge range for this project.
Remember, this is not an exact science, just an estimate. So bear with me here and keep an open and optimistic mind.
Software Development 💻 HACKER
For all the items below, please ensure you check all of the following experience for the software development and embedded programming parts of this tutorial.
- Used an actual computer (> 5 years)
- Computer terminal or command line
- Integrated Development Environment (IDE) (ie. Code Editor)
- Some general text-based programming (> 2 years)
- Programming with the Rust programming language (> 6 months)
- Any type of embedded programming (> 3 months)
DYI Hardware Tinkering ⚒️ MAKER
For all the items below, please ensure you check all of the following experience for the maker and hardware parts of this tutorial.
- Using general hardware tools (ie. screwdriver, hammer)
- Soldering with Soldering Iron
- Stripping a wire with a wire stripper
- Spray painting something
- Sanding something by hand or with a electric sander
- Connecting a simple electrical Cricuits (ie. LED, button)
- 3D Printing from a pre-existing 3D model
TIP
Do not underestimate your abilities! Especially when you are very interested in a project or topic. Lots of times interest and passion can trump large skill discreptencies. Give it try. Let’s see what happens. 💪
