Install Arduino on Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04

I've found my Acer Aspire One netbook is the perfect platform for Arduino development. Not because the keyboard is great (it's not)...but because you can take your programming platform with you anywhere. Here's how to install the Arduino software on an Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04 netbook, connect an Arduino board, and upload a program.

Before installing the Arduino software, there are three dependencies that need to be installed: Sun Java Runtime, gcc-avr and avr-libc. Let's get those installed using the Terminal and apt-get.

Install Sun Java Runtime
:: Select Applications | Accessories | Terminal from the GNOME Menu
:: At the prompt type sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre and press Enter
:: When prompted, enter the sudo password and press Enter
:: When prompted with Do you want to continue [Y/n], press Enter - Sun Java Runtime will download and install
:: Keep the Terminal open for the next step

Install gcc-avr
:: At the prompt type sudo apt-get install gcc-avr and press Enter
:: If prompted, enter the sudo password and press Enter
:: When prompted with Do you want to continue [Y/n], press Enter - gcc-avr will download and install
:: Keep the Terminal open for the next step

Install avr-libc
:: At the prompt type sudo apt-get install avr-libc and press Enter
:: If prompted, enter the sudo password and press Enter
:: When prompted with Do you want to continue [Y/n], press Enter - avr-libc will download and install
:: Close Terminal

Now that the dependencies are installed, the Arduino software can be downloaded and configured.

Download the Arduino Archive
:: Open Firefox
:: Download the latest Arduino Linux distribution by browsing to http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
:: Select the Linux version
:: Save the Arduino archive to your Desktop or another location that you can quickly locate

Extract the Arduino Archive
:: Using Nautilus (the GNOME file browser), locate the Arduino archive - if you saved it to the Desktop, simply minimize the browser
:: Right-click on the Arduino archive as shown in the image below

:: Select Extract Here from the pop-up menu - An Arduino 00XX (XX is substituted for the Arduino version downloaded) folder will be extracted from the archive as shown in the image above

Move Arduino Folder to Home Folder
:: Open a Nautilus window
:: Drag the Arduino folder to your home folder

Connect an Arduino to the Netbook
:: Plug in the USB enabled Arduino to the netbook using a USB cable - depending on the type of Arduino connected, a power LED should illuminate

Start Arduino
:: Navigate to your home folder
:: Double-click the arduino-00XX folder
:: Double-click the arduino file as shown in the image below

:: Click the run button as shown in the image below - the Arduino software will load

Configure Arduino
:: From the Arduino menu, select Tools | Board as shown in the image below

:: Select the type of Arduino board connected to your netbook from the list provided
:: From the Arduino menu select, Tools | Serial Port | /dev/ttyUSB0 as shown in the image below - the Arduino software is now configured and ready for use with the Arduino

Upload a Sketch to the Arduino
:: Need a sketch for testing purposes? Click here and copy the program
:: Paste the program into the Arduino software using Edit | Paste from the Arduino pull-down menu
:: Click the upload icon as highlighted in the image below - the activity light on the Arduino should begin blinking as the program is uploaded to the Arduino board and after a few seconds, the onboard LED (if the Arduino you are using contains and LED connected to port 13) will begin blinking at a steady rate

You are now ready to being developing for the Arduino on your netbook. I haven't verified, but my guess is these steps will also work on a regular Ubuntu 9.04 install. If you try it and it works, leave a comment below.

Reference: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/Linux

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