Getting started with IoT projects - part 2

Hello world

This post is part of a 3-part series.

Part 1 (here)
Part 2 (this post)
Part 3 (here)

Here is advice that can get your started.

1. Think of a project

It can be anything. But let it solve some personal need.

For e.g. a door alarm, automating lights/ceiling fan in a room, etc.

It can be something for your car also. Just fix on something useful to you.

2. YouTube for it.

Search youtube. Enter keywords related to your goal. Along with those keywords add any popular board - like raspberry pi, arduino, etc. (or even the board you intend to work with).

You may be fascinated at realizing other people have already done it. Watching other people do stuff, (regardless of whether it is related to your project goal or not), will improve your confidence. You will come across other components and new concepts. This is how you learn about IoT, your first steps.

And it also prepares you for the next phase - buying stuff.

You can research more. But not recommended right away. Many components will have a part number and a specifications document. It's never welcoming to read them. But know that they exist. It can help when it's time to troubleshoot components.

3. Buying

There are many ways you can purchase stuff. Whatever the approach, it pays well if you make a well informed choice. So like a healthy consumer, do proper pre-purchase research. Look at reviews/comments/ratings. Re-watch those youtube videos if you have to.

And once you have finally obtained the product. Share your feedback through the channels provided. For e.g. if its amazon you are buying through, review the product with pics, and, videos. If it's a shop you got it from, make a video review and put it on your youtube channel - share it in a social forum where you can network with other IoT developers/creators.

You will end up with faulty products. Don't let that get to you. Your most creative and illustrative post-delivery review or feedback will help others not fall into that nasty surprise trap.

If its devices like sensors you are buying provided that they are cheap, then consider buying more than one. So if you happen to break/brick one, hopefully you have realized your mistake, and not waste time waiting for a replacement to be delivered.

If I am on a budget, China markets look enticing. I used to procure things from Aliexpress, and, Bangood at one point of time. But traditional ecommerce problems/pains still apply here. Do your due diligence. (Always make the informed choice). However if you have purchased, the delivery might run into months sometime. Sometimes they don't reach you. Many of "our kind" has lost money due to this. 😢

For your first project however, don't consider procuring through foreign ecommerce sites. Relationship between China and India has become complicated these days. It might become complicated for other countries too. And the ongoing pandemic just makes matters worse. 

But this pandemic also gives domestic ecommerce deliveries, a bad experience. Just know "delays" are inevitable, and, they will one day slap your face...Don't let it discourage you.

3. Tinkering/Prototyping

So once you have got your hands on all the things you need. You can prototype on a breadboard. The following things help

Connection diagrams
A multimeter
Pictures/videos of the breadboard with stuff connected - working or failing

I don't have to stress how that's important.

This is the best part, for me at least.

But there are hazards too. Like for e.g. working off AC mains. Take proper precautions. Before testing out with live electricity see that your wires don't short.