It is not difficult to create binaries, I have to create them every time I test a change to the firmware. And yes, providing binaries could make it easier. It means that you wouldn't have to install the entire toolchain and compile the firmware from scratch. You would just need to install esptool (or another serial flashing tool) and upload the binary to the ESP.

You are correct that the `web/static` files created are the same every time (assuming that you did not make local changes before creating them). However, it is not typical to track `bundle.js` in github commits because it is an auto-generated file and would dirty the commit history will lots of redundant, unreadable diffs.

The proper way of providing a both the binaries and the `web/static` files is to upload them with a release. Then someone who purchases a TGGO board (or LILYGO before they ship the boards) would download the latest realease as a zip file containing the necessary files and a README with easy to follow instructions of how to put them on your ESP.

I'll work on making this work flow a reality.

And, I like the idea of a message ticker. Or at least some sort of notification when a message is received?

-grant

On Mon, Nov 25, 2019 at 5:37 PM <samuk@disroot.org> wrote:

Thanks Grant

> I would like to tag a release (0.0.1?) and provide them binaries so that they are shipping it with firmware from a
> particular commit. They should also be able to flash the SPIFFs with the web app, we could provide
> binaries for that as well. Then, you wouldn't necessarily need an SD card.

Sounds great, would it be a lot of work to create the binaries? Would make for an easier install whether or not we decide to allow Lilygo to sell directly.

> then copy the contents of
> web/static (`index.htm` and `bundle.js`) to the SD card. It's a fairly straightforward process, but
> I should create instructions.

Presumably these files are the same each time they are created? So we could just upload the compiled versions to Github for users to drag/drop onto a SD?

> This group generally operates on a consensus basis, so I'd be interested to hear what other people
> who have been involved in its development think.

Great, would be good to hear from anyone who has concerns. The way I see it is that this wouldn't slow down or hinder efforts to create open hardware, but I realise others may have a different view.

> p.s. I would also be cool to display something on the OLED screen when it ships, haven't gotten
> around to that idea though.

A scrolling ticker of the most recent messages would make the device usable without an additional device. Probably over complicated for now though..

2p

Sam

>
> -grant
> On Sun, Nov 24, 2019 at 9:23 AM <samuk@disroot.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi all
>>
>> Yesterday I emailed TTGO/ Lily to see if in principle they could install the disaster radio boards
>> they ship. After a bit of linguistic miscommunication they went ahead and did it.
>>
>> So it's now possible to order the boards pre-flashed here:
>>
>> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000396836096.html
>>
>> I didn't intend to do this without asking the list, so apologies if I've overstepped.
>>
>> If you really don't want to do this, then I can ask them to remove the listing. I realise that
>> fully open hardware is needed in the medium term.
>>
>> They are willing to donate a $1 for every board sold:
>> https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H856d5793d514415187b910e3fd4a3139w.jpg
>>
>> Assuming you're happy to leave the listing up, where should we send this trickle of donations? Do
>> you have a bank?
>>
>> This does leave the task for the users to configure their SD card, is that as easy as formatting to
>> ext2 and copying index.html to it?
>> https://github.com/sudomesh/disaster-radio/tree/master/web/static or is it more involved than that?
>>
>> Let me know what you want to do about the listing, and if it stays up, where to send the money.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Sam
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