As you might know I have migrated from Windows to Linux. My computer is getting old and slow. Slow is mostly due to running Windows as Windows constantly does all kinds of tasks in the background. Linux does not have that problem and is therefore a lot faster.
There are many flavors of Linux and I am running Kubuntu 24.04. LTS stands for Long Time Service meaning it is supported until june 2027.
So far so good. All the standard programs work as expected. But then I ran into a problem.
MicroPython on Kubuntu
I am using Thonny as my standard editor for MicroPython programs and that works as a charm. I connected the Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico W and ESP32 without a problem.
Only the ESP8266 (Wemos D1 Mini) would not work. Although it worked previously on my Windows setup.
It was not recognised in Thonny.
The above screendump shows that I chose the ESP8266 in the tools menu.
Nevertheless I got this error. And also several other errors.
So I started an internet search.
I found that Kubuntu installs standard a utility that is called BRLTTY This is a service that provides access to the console for a blind person using a refreshable braille display.
Fortunately I am not blind and I do not need this service. So I could delete it without consequences.
sudo apt purge brltty -y
This the command to remove brltty from Ubuntu permanently. Copy it and paste it in your Terminal program. Use sudo as you need Super User privileges to remove and install software. Linux will ask you for the administrator password.
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
Then use this command to get full access to the USB port
And here is the result:
The ESP8266 comes up in the list with available Python versions.
Problem solved !
Till next time
Have fun.
Luc Volders
