Merge pull request #113 from PlumRugOfDoom/master

flashing device and python installation update

website/docs/getting-started/flashing-esp32.md

@@ -27,25 +27,26 @@ Some newer boards may require the drivers for the [CH9102](http://www.wch.cn/dow
   ]}>
   <TabItem value="linux">
 
-  > Open a `Terminal` and enter the following command:
+  > Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port, open a `Terminal` and enter the following command:
   > ```bash
   > lsusb
   > ```
-
+  > You should see something like: `ID 10c4:ea60 Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge` for CP210X or `ID 1a86:55d4 QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial` for CH9102
+ 
   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="macos">
 
   > Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB`.
+  > You should see something like `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`. If not download the appropriate drivers
 
   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="windows">
 
-  > Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`.
+  > Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`. You should see something like `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`. If not download the appropriate drivers
 
   </TabItem>
 </Tabs>
 
-You should see something like `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`. If you don't, you will need to install the appropriate driver from [Silicon Labs](https://silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers).
 
 ### Download Latest Firmware
 
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ The [T-Beam 0.7](../hardware/tbeam-hardware#t-beam---v07) board is an earlier ve
   > If `python3` is not installed, install with
   > ```bash
   > sudo apt-get update
-  > sudo apt-get install python3.6
+  > sudo apt-get install python3
   > ```
   > If `pip` is not installed, install with
   > ```bash

website/docs/software/python/installation.md

@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ You must use pip version 20 or later. To upgrade to the latest pip, do: `pip ins
 :::info
 Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while installing python. If you don't, python may not be available and you may not be able to call `meshtastic` from your CLI. If you do forget to check that box, you will need to install the path environment variable for python on your operating system.
 :::
+:::important
+You may need to install a driver from Silicon Labs for the [CP210X USB to UART bridge](https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers)
+
+Some newer boards may require the drivers for the [CH9102](http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH343SER_ZIP.html) or [Direct Download](https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/CH9102_Driver) for Windows 7.
+:::
 
 <Tabs
   groupId="operating-system"
@@ -37,27 +42,49 @@ Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while
         ```bash
         lsusb
         ```
-    * You should see something like `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
-    * If not download the drivers from [Silicon Labs](https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers).
+    * You should see something like:
+        * `ID 10c4:ea60 Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge` for CP210X
+        * `ID 1a86:55d4 QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial` for CH9102
+
 * Check that your computer has Python 3 installed.
     * Use the command
         ```bash
         python3 -V
         ```
-    * If this does not return a version, install [python](https://www.python.org)
+    * If this does not return a version, install python
+        ```bash
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install python3
+        ```
+
 * Pip is typically installed if you are using python 3 version >= 3.4
     * Check that pip is installed using this command
         ```bash
         pip3 -V
         ```
-    * If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing/)
+    * If this does not return a version, install pip
+        ```bash
+        sudo apt-get install python3-pip
+        ```
+
+* Optional: use a python virtual environment (otherwise jump to step "Install pytap2")
+    * Install python-virtualenvwrapper (arch based distros as an example)
+        ```bash
+        sudo pacman -Syu python-virtualenvwrapper
+        ```
+    * Create a virtual environment
+        ```bash
+        source /usr/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh
+        mkvirtualenv meshtastic
+        workon meshtastic
+        ```
 * Install pytap2
     ```bash
-    sudo pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
+    pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
     ```
 * Install meshtastic:
     ```bash
-    sudo pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
+    pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
     ```
 
 </TabItem>
@@ -90,6 +117,7 @@ Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while
         pip3 -V
         ```
     * If this does not return a version, install [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing/)
+    
 * Install pytap2
     ```bash
     sudo pip3 install --upgrade pytap2
@@ -130,7 +158,7 @@ Make sure that the `PATH variable` also gets installed by checking the box while
     ```powershell
     pip3 install --upgrade meshtastic
     ```
-    
+
 </TabItem>
 <TabItem value="termux">
 
@@ -164,4 +192,4 @@ Be aware that the Meshtastic CLI is not able to control the nodes over USB throu
 
 :::info
 You may need to close and re-open the CLI. The path variables may or may not update for the current session when installing.
-:::
+:::