Improve initial download and build experience

[wwahammy]

Right now, the current clone and build experience isn't very user intuitive. Ideally, the user should be able to run a single make command and do the following:

• install the set of packages necessary for a proper build
• install the flashing utility (maybe)
• install proper toolchain locally
• build an image (or all of the images)

The OpenWrt folks have done a pretty good job of handling this through their use of buildroot. We should consider reusing buildroot or similar utility

[crmoratelli]

I think the integration with buildroot will be useful when supporting Linux. Righ now, an installation script could cover the first 3 items of your list making the installation processes simpler.

[wwahammy]

I think buildroot is certainly a possibility with supporting Linux. We can talk more when we get to that point.

One way we can look at it is how do we want to make building simple and straightforward while being appropriately flexible. Buildroot and OpenWrt give an example we can learn from as we move forward.

I'm happy to help with this. We should discuss it at the next prpl Hypervisor technical meeting.

[crmoratelli]

For now, I wrote an install script that automatizes the download and installation of the tools and Linux packages (including the flashing tool). I updated the wiki to reflect this.

I like the idea about to use buildroot. Let discuss about it at the next meeting.

You are welcome!