Using Teensy Board and Soldering to Button

[ZakVTA]

Firstly, I just want to thank you for your patience since this is my first project of this kind.

I recently purchased the Teensy board from you guys (http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html)
I am however not very familiar with soldering and was hoping you could provide some help.

I am planning on using the teensy board and this button (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9181) via this project (http://rasterweb.net/raster/2011/05/09/the-button/)
The button is going to act as a "spacebar" input via the teensy board into a laptop.

Would you be able to explain the points that would need to be soldered on the Teensy board and the button terminals?

Also final question, how would you recommend inputting the code into the Teensy board?

Again, I apologize for how inexperienced these questions are, but I do appreciate any help you can provide!

 

[PaulStoffregen]

First, install Arduino and Teensyduino.

http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_download.html

Run Arduino and select Teensy 2.0 from the Tools > Boards menu. To make sure things are working, open the LED blink example from File > Examples > 01.Basics > Blink. Edit the pin number (needs to be 11 for Teensy 2.0). Then click Upload. The first time, you'll probably need to press the button on Teensy to make it upload. Try editing the delay time and uploading a few times, so you know Arduino is working and you can upload programs.

Then open a new window and copy the code from Pete's website. Click upload again. You can test if it's working by touching a wire or paperclip between GND and pin 10 (refer to the pinout card that came with the board, and look at the photos on Pete's website). Touch the wire to GND first (in case you have any static electricity built up on your body), then touch it to pin 10 while keeping in contact with GND. You should see the cursor move and space characters being added to the code in Arduino every time you touch the pins together.

Once that's working, you're ready to try soldering the button from Sparkfun.

The important point is to DO THESE STEPS IN THIS ORDER. Do not begin by soldering. Install the software first, make sure you can use it by blinking the LED at different speeds, then get Pete's code working and tested.

Only solder wires after you know everything else works. You'd be amazed how many people try soldering stuff first and later have trouble getting the software going. It's a lot easier when you know the board is still in original condition. After you've soldered stuff, you'll have a much easier time testing if you've already learned how to use the board and software and you already are certain everything was working before you picked up that soldering iron.

Good luck. And remember, this is DIY electronics. Pete sells already-made finished products for people who don't want to do it themselves.