But according to this guide I need another board in order to burn the bootloader. I know someone with a VinciDuino - can I use that? If not, then which board can be used as programmer?
Is there any other way to get started, without another board to burn the bootloader?
"I can't do anything with my board without the bootloader - right?"
Yes and No, sort of. You can download a sketch directly that runs without a bootloader.
But a bootloader that will let you make changes and download sketches via the USB port is probably more useful.
" I know someone with a VinciDuino - can I use that?
If not, then which board can be used as programmer?
Yes, any other board can be used as a programmer.
"Is there any other way to get started, without another board to burn the bootloader?"
Yes. If you are going to be Arduino-ing for a while, then having a tool such as AVR ISP will come in handy for you.
I use this one for '328s and '1284s, it connects to the SPI pins (SCK, MOSI, MISO), Reset, and Power/Gnd (i.e. the ICSP header if you have one) to download a bootloader, or to download sketches with no bootloader (the IDE's "File: Upload using Programmer" command I think its called). http://www.mdfly.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=415 $14
I also have an Atmel AVR ISK MKii that costs $34 vs $14 and also works great, especially for checking fuse settings. It does not provide power to the board tho.
Thank you very much for answering. I'll look into all the stuff you said, and hopefully burn the bootloader soon.
One more thing though. Do I have to install some kind of driver too make my computer "detect" serial port when I plug in my board via the usb cable.
The "Serial Port" in Arduino IDE is just grey for me. My computer tells me new hardware found when I plug my board in, but I can't seem to install the "Arduino Leonardo" driver, and I don't know if I'm supposed to either?
Anyway I'm using a windows xp pro 32bit laptop, if that makes any difference.