I'm still pretty new to any kind of programming, and my main problem seems to be cutting through the jargon. I've been looking into Firmata since someone suggested it might be useful to me but the trail of clues is very sparse. So far:
I think it allows arduino to communicate with a computer. I uploaded the Standard Firmata Sketch to my board, but have no idea how to use it. Tried the serial monitor- nothing. :-?
I think it must be peculiar to Arduino, as Wikipedia doesn't seem to have an entry.
I have followed up any likely-looking link that might give me a basic idea of how it works. Nothing I've seen in the Playground gets close to its roots. An extremely well-commented sketch might help. Anybody seen one?
Can someone please give me a starting point?