where to begin

[djm902]

i have posted here once before but ran out of time last halloween
what i would like to know is where i need to begin to learn how to start
using my prop 2 controller as far as programming is concerned
right now im not looking to controll any servos just basic on off functions and triggering audio
??? thanks for any help

[JonnyMac]

Hopefully, you have a starter kit so you don't have to worry about connecting anything but EFX-TEK gear (for the time being).  For grunt basics, you can start with this document:

http://www.efx-tek.com/downloads/prop-2_programming_basics.pdf

Download it and open with with a PDF reader as your working (there is a printer-friendly version if you want a hard copy).

Parallax has books that may be helpful, though neither is geared specifically to the Prop-2:
-- What's A Microcontroller? by Andy Lindsey
-- StampWorks by Jon Williams (yeah, me)

Andy's writing targets high school students; I tend to target university-level students and professionals.  I believe both will serve you, though I must say that I think Andy teaches a few bad habits (like NOT naming I/O pins, etc.).  If nothing else, I beg you to read and consider The Elements of PBASIC Style which can be found in the online help file (that material is also in StampWorks, and all my programs adhere to it).

Writing books is tough work, I know having spent the last year working on a book project for Parallax.  That said, I intend to write a book series specific to our controllers called:

Prop Programming for Everyone: From Zero to Hero Without Breaking a Sweat or Bending Your Brain
Copyright (c) 2007 Jon Williams

Yeah, I'm cheesy, but I've got a lot of practice programming (come to think of it, I have even more practice being cheesy) and believe I can teach most anyone to program our controllers.  What I have that you presently don't is experience; I got it by spending a little time every day.  Do that for yourself, even if it's only 15 minutes.  If you spend 15 minutes a day programming and experimenting by the time the Halloween crunch roles around you will be ready -- in spades, my friend.

[djm902]

ok one mistake thoe i only have the prop 1 does that make a difference as far as the basic programming is concerned?

[djm902]

oh and yes i did get the trainer kit

[JonnyMac]

Your first post says Prop-2 -- must have been a typo.  No worries, we have a document for it, too:

-- http://www.efx-tek.com/downloads/prop-1_programming_basics.pdf

Now, until I finish my book there's not a lot of book-style information for the BS1 (Prop-1 core).  But... there's a lot of info, mostly in the form of Nuts & Volts articles written by Scott Edwards and myself.  Here's a few:

-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/nv1.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/nv6.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/nv30.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/nv38.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol2/col/nv61.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol4/col/nv104.pdf
-- http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol7/col/NV135.pdf

One more tip: learn some basics and then create projects for yourself -- even simple ones.  We learn more effectively with real-world stuff than with fluff. 

[livinlowe]

There is TONS of stuff on the prop-1! In addition to the articles Jon pointed out, I have personally found it enlightening to go through the various posts left by members.   ::)

[Caretaker.CCI]

A friend of mine once told me (when I was starting out) that if you can turn LEDs on and off you can do just about anything (Now, if I can just find that darn LED switch!).

Give yourself lots of time! If this forum is the only place you search, it will take some time just to get familiar with all the information that is here. Like Jon said... 15-minutes a day (keeps the Doctor away).

Greg

[djm902]

ok ive been reading the basic how to guides for a few nights now and im starting to understand the workings of it
barely lol   
but it is coming togather
a couple questions thoe  i would like to start trying to use the prop one trainer
but im not sure if the chip that came with it goes into the trainer and if it does
is there a right way and a wrong way to put it in
next is the adapter is there a right way and a wrong way to connect the adapter
and after that is there a simple way to get started in the programming something basic
to start with first or should i just start going at it?
thanks for all the help :)

[JonnyMac]

1. Please download and read the Prop-1 and Prop-1 Trainer docs; your questions are answered in them (along with others).

2. Please start a new thread (per our forum guidelines) for specific questions, and limit the thread to one question -- this will make it easier for other searching through the subject headers.