Getting started with Badgy IoT (For the love of #Badgelife)

​I like blinky objects. They fascinate me. I've enjoyed wearing them, but didn't know how to start tinkering with them. Not really... I bought a Badgy IoT from Tindie and just wanted to UPDATE my name... If you wanted to do the same on Windows, this is what worked for me:

The super short version

• Order a badgy IoT device from Tindie.com
• Prep the environment
  • install arduino IDE
    • add repo for ESP8266
    • add required libraries
  • install git
    • clone badgy repo from github
    • update hello.ino file to have desired name
• Upload to Badgy IoT
  • Using USB
  • Or WiFi
    • set up badgy for wifi
    • compile and export binary
    • Upload binart using web browser
• Profit!

More info about how this got done (more or less in linear order):

• Order a Badgy
  • https://www.tindie.com/products/squarofumi/badgy-iot-badge/
  • Wait impatiently for it to arrive
  • Stare longingly at the box for a loong time, because you have no idea how to get started
  • Oh and there's that free time thing... When the magical 'free time' is available and selected
  • Plug the Badgy in using a handy micro-USB cable and then...
• Prep Environment
  • Install git from https://git-scm.com/download/win
    • Accept all the defaults if you aren't familiar with what it offers you
    • I don't know better at this point and am just sharing what worked
    • No reboot was required
  • Install the Arduino IDE - either of the following works:
    • Windows Store: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9NBLGGH4RSD8
    • or from the Arduino web site: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software (scroll down!)
• Launch the Arduino IDE and get it ready to use
  • Set up support for the chips on the Badgy IoT using these links
    • For the ESP8366 chip
    • Install drivers for the CP201X UART for Windows
  • After doing this, tell Arduino how to talk to the board you are going to use
    • Tools > Board > "NodeMCU 1.0"
    • If connecting by USB, select Tools > Port > should show in the list (are drivers are missing?
• Now it should be possible to compile examples from the Squaro Engineering github repo
• ​How do I make a local copy of the repo?
  • Please know using the above linked method could save you an entire evening of frustration
  • Got an error when I tried to compile
  • Searched all over
    • This took time... More than I'd like to admit
    • Finally tried using 'git clone' and Would You Look At That! It WORKS!
  • I'm new at this and made LOTS of mistakes. That's okay... Hopefully this page lets somebody else know that it's a BAD idea to copy and paste code from a github page when you don't know what you're doing.
• Create a local copy of the Badgy IoT git repo, which includes the examples
  • launch a command line tool
  • create a new folder in Documents or a place of your choosing
  • navigate to the folder you just made and type the following command
  • git clone https://github.com/sqfmi/badgy
    • This creates a local copy of folders for badgy to the local computer
    • It will create a new folder to work out of, which is also cool
  • Switch to or launch the Arduino IDE
    • File > Open the hello.ino file (had the arduino logo next to it)
    • Changed the name from "badgy" to your chosen name.
  • ​Those with newer models of the Badgy IoT can use the Arduino IDE to compile and it will push the update directly to the connected device.
  • Need to create a file to upload if wanting/needing to use WiFI
    • From inside the Ardunio IDE...
    • Click on Sketch > Export compiled binary
      • Not saying this is the 'right' way, just how I figured it out.
      • Please share if there's a better way
  • Go find the outputted file!
    • C:\Users\YourAccountNameHere\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_
      • Look for the folder with the closest time to when you clicked Compile
      • May have to change to 'Details' view in Explorer to see the time stamps
    • The file called 'build.ino.bin' is what you're looking for
    • Now that you've found the path to the file you're ready to install this to your Badgy IoT device!
  • Uploading to Badgy using WiFi
    • If this is the first time the badgy is being set up, its WiFi will need to be configured
    • follow the on screen prompts on the device after entering the 'upload' mode
    • If WiFi has already been configured, the Badgy IoT will display a URL​ (see below)

Badgy IoT will show a URL if WiFi is set up

Getting Badgy into Upload mode

• Connect the Badgy to power (battery or a USB cable connected to a computer or power source)
• Holding the Badgy so the screen is facing you, move the switch into the up position (OFF)
• Press and hold the joystick button like a button and move the switch down (ON)
• Let go of the button when the display changes to words about how to connect

Up is OFF

Down is ON

If WiFi has already been configured, the Badgy IoT will display a URL

• Now open a web browser and navigate to the address displayed on the Badgy's screen.
• Click on "Choose File" on the web page portion of the screen
• Select the .bin file located earlier in the export binary step and click "Open"
• Click update and watch it go! (the page will be 'not found' after the device reboots)
• The Badgy will now update and reboot itself!

• PROFIT!
• Well, close... Need to adjust that left margin... THERE!
  • Search for "void showHello" in hello.ino
  • Find the line "display.setCursor(13,100);"
  • Had to change the first number from 70 down to 13 to make it look centered.
  • This is just the beginning of the adventure! Happy Tinkering!

So how do I get it to work when I'm not connected to a USB cable?

• The Badgy comes fitted with a holder for a LIR2450 coin cell battery
• I ordered a charger that works off USB, but choose what best suits you
• Make sure the battery is inserted matching the symbol on the little metal piece that holds it
  (in other words - if the metal shows a plus, then make sure the matching shape is facing you when inserting the battery)
• Flip the power switch to the UP position (OFF) to save power and leave the eInk display showing the "Hello my name is" message!

• Didn't work out? Don't Panic! Flash it back to the hello.bin file from \badgy\examples\hello to start over!
• Thanks for reading and hope you choose to start your own adventure in #Badgelife!
  ​
• Adapted from the following sources
  • The 'compiling examples' info at: https://github.com/sqfmi/badgy
  • also from the setup section in: https://github.com/sqfmi/badgy/tree/master/examples