Using Cygwin for SALAMANDER Testing

This instructive will walk you through different steps on how to use cygwin.  We will learn how to navigate to different folders inside of cygwin, program motes, listen to motes, save files to different folders, and also learn how to translate files into a excel document.

** This instructable is primarily for the SALAMANDER Sensors Project ** 
** www.salamandersensors.org **

Step 1 Navigating to different folders inside of cygwin

When you first start up cygwin you will be given a command line similar to picture below.

The command line above where you type tells you what folder you are currently positioned. 

To get to the main cygwin folder you will want to type in "cd ../../", This will take you the main cygwin folder.

You can get to this file through my computer navigating to " C:\cygwin  " from here you can see what all file and folders that are located inside this main folder for cygwin. **** It's also possible to see what files and folders are under the main cygwin folder by typing "ls" (LS) into the command line.

Now that we know folders are located inside this folder we can decide which folder we want to goto next. 

To move to the next folder type "cd (foldername)" into the command line. The folder name wont have the () around it. Also the foldername can't have any spaces in it. The folder name can contain - or . but no spaces!

We are now in the folder called opt, from which we can follow the same process to move to folder deeper by looking at the folder contained inside of opt.

You can always go back a folder if you need to by typing "cd ../" each time you type this it will take you back one folder.

Comments

[yoyology]

Your explanation is clear, as far as it goes, but what's missing is the "why". What is a "mote" Why would I want to use a "mote"? What are they good for? What do they do? Why do I want to use Cygwin to interface with the "mote"? You have a very specific Instructable with a very general title. As I'm sure you are aware, people use Cygwin for a variety of different things. I looked at this expecting something much more broad. Change the title, add more explanation, and this will be a great 'ible. Keep it up!

[crfran05]

Salamander Sensors is a project in Kentucky, used to test how much sediment flow is in creek around the state. There is also an instructable called Assembling a Triple Sensor Board. This will show some of the devices we are using with the motes. We can place these sensors in creeks to collect data remotely using cygwin.

[AndyGadget]

As above - A bit of an explanation of what the Salamander Sensor Project is would be useful to people who have never heard of it - I hadn't. At the moment the Instructable only appeals to people already interested. With a bit of extra information you may get more people interested.

[bjzinn01]

It's a small environmental sensors project in Kentucky to test sediment flow. You can check it out here: salamandersensors.org