Need Help!- Where is the best place to find EMC2 support?

[HawkJET]

I have posted questions on the LinuxCNC forum with no answer.

I am attempting to get EMC2 running on a Bridgeport Boss3 and know very little about Linux. Linux has different syntax and nomenclature so it is all Greek to me (even though I am reasonably competent in Windose). I'm sure there are many similarities between Linux and Windose so the overall concepts should not be difficult once translated.

I need to find someone or somewhere that I can get guidance to overcome the first basic steps and get on the right track. Otherwise, I will feel the need to go with Windose and Mach3 since it seems that support is easy to come by.

Is this the appropriate forum?
Are there recommendations for other forums?
Is EMC2 really ready for prime time?

Thanks!

[samco]

The linuxcnc forum is pretty active as is this forum. The thing to remember is that not too many developers frequent the forums. They prefer IRC. So if you get stuck and need a little guidenc - IRC is your best bet. They are not going to hand hold you though - they expect some effort/research on your part.

You can use a web based one here
http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/op.../lang,english/

As far as prime time? You bet! It will control anything from a small stepper machine to a large industrial machining center.

What have you tried so far?

sam

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by samco The linuxcnc forum is pretty active

It didn't seem like it. there were several threads with zero replies and were originally posted weeks ago.

Originally Posted by samco The thing to remember is that not too many developers frequent the forums. They prefer IRC.

Thanks Sam, I don't know what IRC is or how to use it. I doubt my issues require the assistance of a developer. Anyone that has set up their own machine should be able to help with most of my questions.

Originally Posted by samco As far as prime time? You bet! It will control anything from a small stepper machine to a large industrial machining center.

I don't doubt that there are many controllers can do this, but in my eyes, there is more to "prime time" than the size of the machine. I am referring to user friendliness and robustness (among other things).

Originally Posted by samco What have you tried so far?

I don't know exactly what you mean here. I have used Fanuc and Heidenhain controlled CNC and VMC.

I haven't used any of the hobby type systems - this is my first attempt.

[samco]

Ah - I think the first thing you should do is download the livecd here

http://www.linuxcnc.org/content/view/21/4/
(make sure you your burning software can burn cd images (ISO's) to a cd correctly - the document below explains it some)

Read through this
http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/EMC2_Getting_Started.pdf

Also the wiki is a good resource
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl

docs
http://linuxcnc.org/docs/

main site
http://linuxcnc.org/


Burn the ISO and boot your computer off of it. It allows you to play before actually installing. Great way to learn linux also without actually installing the OS. (it also allows you to run tests (latency tests) to see how your computer will perform realtime)

sam

[samco]

Don't be afraid... It is more like windows than you think.

[samco]

oh - and as far as responsiveness...

IRC <-there are a lot of users on also. (not just developers)
Mailing list ( https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users )
forums.

sam

[MrWild]

And yet it can be very daunting for the neophyte. I don't have the machine computer on line. Updating it with a CD is a very convoluted process. Get "GIT" Build your program, do this, do that... Just to get a freaking update CD? One of the hardest things to do is a simple update if you are off line and need to update with a CD. For someone new to Linux the many steps with links on the wiki that go into a loop for "more info," Windows and Mach look best for the new CNCer because it is easiest and goes together with a point/click mentality.

Looking at the circles I've gone through trying to update off line, I'd have been better off bringing the shop computer inside and hooking it up. It shouldn't take this many steps and level of learning needed. Yes, someone that knows linux probably breezes right through, but it is a long road to learn for someone coming in cold.

Yes, the program has/had "%" for beginning and end. I've been running through all the posts one at a time using the FANUC6 Post first. I've only been trying the ones with % as part of the post due to my tech school text book saying it was needed. Finally thought it was due to needing an update. I'll drag the box in and update that way (from the BDI 8.08 EMC2 3.5 to 4.1). I'd rather be making chips than wandering aimlessly around the wiki trying to make sense of the directions for a CD update. I got GIT, but after that I'm lost.

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by samco Don't be afraid... It is more like windows than you think.

Oh... I'm not afraid... I actually KNOW it is a lot like windows but I don't know the terminology and syntax.

so far I have the live CD, Ubuntu is installed and EMC2 fires up. I apologize for not including that to begin with, I was mostly inquiring to find the best place for help. If this is that place - well GREAT!

As an example of the kind of obstacles I am running into, it took me hours to discover that I can't use spaces in the machine name (when using the stepconf wizard). Those little things are a PITA but they are part of the learning curve.

I posted some questions on the LinuxCNC forum two days ago and not a peep. Here it was less than an hour and you replied. THANKS! In another thread on this forum, it was suggested the LinuxCNC forum was a better source. Go figure!?!?!?!

So anyway I was getting concerned when it looked like I was going to be all alone with no support. I want to find a place where, if I ask a fairly basic question, I can get an answer in a timely manner and make good progress. My stumbling blocks are basic but the potential lack of support would have me go a different direction.

So I'll ask my questions here and see what happens.

I have installed Ubuntu and EMC2 from the Live CD and am configuring the installation. On boot, I set up to bypass the login and automatically launch EMC2. Does anyone know how to make EMC2 launch with the window maximized (full screen)?

Also, I plan to use the computer as a CNC control only. So I don't need all the other stuff (like Firefox, email, internet, etc.). Is there a tutorial that tells how to remove all that? Is there a list of the stuff I should keep? It would also be nice to clean up all the extra little icons in the title bar I don't need....

Thanks again

[samco]

actually - anything related to the ubuntu OS - this is a very good resource.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

Have a look at the synapic package manager for uninstalling programs you don't need. It is sort of like the add/remove programs in windows. (it is in the administrative menu)

As far as a emc launched maximized.. The mailing list discussed this a few times (every X interface gnome, kde, whatever seems to handle this differently)
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.....emc.user/2380
(I would read this over when you are more comfortable with linux )

As far as auto-logging in... I would search though the ubuntu forums. (not run across that)

sam

[MrWild]

Good questions. It seems like the simple stuff that "everyone knows" is the hardest to find answers to. Like "building your program" in GIT. Does that really mean pick and choose the updates relevant, and if so, how do i find them in that DOS looking screen that starts when I launch GIT? I don't mean to sound abrupt, I'm just frustrated from not finding step by step for the completely new person. Are there explanations available for someone that hasn't had a few classes on computer programming and doesn't know the jargon?

[MrWild]

Originally Posted by samco actually - anything related to the ubuntu OS - this is a very good resource. http://ubuntuforums.org/ sam

Darn, all that whine for nothing.

THANKS!

[samco]

heh - I don't know if I would want to update ubuntu/emc2 offline.... (and I have never done it either)

Think of it this way - have you ever updated, lets say, windows xp without an internet connection? Other than the major service packs - I would surely be searching the web... (I am sure it can be done)

sam