Seems like instructions I am finding for the use of the LM4F Launchpad were written with StellarisWare in mind, but the latest StellarisWare download now seems to lack the support for the LM4F chips. Looks like the idea is to use TivaWare instead. But where can I find a set of "getting started" documentation that uses TivaWare?
Unfortunately I received my LM4F Launchpads just as this name-changeover thing is happening...
The approach I'm taking is to try to use TivaWare_C_Series-1.0 but I'm finding only the instructions geared towards StellarisWare. There are things such as the "boards" directory being down an extra level (under examples) that muck it up, and so far I can't build successfully.
I was using Stellaris before TI bought out Luminary, and I find it interesting to watch what TI has done with the product line. I was so impressed by the ease of use of the Luminary Stellaris eval kits. They always worked perfectly right out of the box and with the getting started instructions you could be up and running with your own project within an hour. Luminary was innovative and nimble, and added regularly to the project code samples to highlight product features and jump-start users application development.
I can't believe what TI has been doing with Stellaris since the NRND showed up. The approach is confusing and seems disorganized, and leaves loyal customers hanging in limbo, unsure when/if adequate replacement parts will be available. And to receive the Launchpads (which don't come with a CD) and find such a mire of confusion on-line over what software should be used to run them adds to my poor impression of TI.
Hopefully this will get straightened out soon. Regarding the Launchpad instructions, I realize that my timing was just perfect for getting caught in this confusion. A week or so earlier or a week or so later and it would probably have been a fine experience. (But probably not as good as it was under Luminary...)