DOCS-3002: Add instructions for physically connecting components to how-tos (#3535)

Author: sguequierre

docs/how-tos/collect-sensor-data.md

@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ Navigate to the **CONFIGURE** tab of your machine's page in [the Viam app](https
 Click the **+** icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select **Component**.
 Then [find and add a sensor model](/components/sensor/) that supports your sensor.
 
+If you have a physical sensor, make sure to connect it physically to your computer.
+
 If you do not have a physical sensor or if you're not sure which sensor model to choose, add the `viam:viam-sensor:telegrafsensor` which captures performance data (CPU, memory usage, and more) from your machine. After adding the component, use the following attribute configuration:
 
 ```json {class="line-numbers linkable-line-numbers"}

docs/how-tos/configure.md

@@ -81,20 +81,21 @@ Each physical piece of your smart machine that is controlled by a computer is ca
 
 For each component that makes up your machine:
 
-1. Find an appropriate model for your hardware.
+1. Physically connect the hardware to your machine's computer.
+2. Find an appropriate model for your hardware.
    You can find the available models on the [component pages](/components/).
    For example, you can scroll through available sensor models on the [sensor page](/components/sensor/#available-models).
-2. You need to [_configure_](/configure/) your machine so that `viam-server` can interact with its hardware.
+3. You need to [_configure_](/configure/) your machine so that `viam-server` can interact with its hardware.
    Use the configuration builder tool in the Viam app to create a file that describes what hardware you are using and how it is connected.
    For example, if you have a DC motor, follow the [corresponding configuration instructions](/components/motor/gpio/) to tell the software which pins it is connected to.
-3. Add a suitable model to your machine on the **CONFIGURE** page:
+4. Add a suitable model to your machine on the **CONFIGURE** page:
 
    - Click the + icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select Component.
    - Choose any component type (example: `camera`) and model (example: `webcam`). If a component you want to use for your project is not natively supported, you can [build your own modular resource](/how-tos/create-module/).
 
-4. When you add a component model, it will create a panel in the configuration builder tool. Fill in any required attributes, following the documentation for the specific model.
-5. Click the **TEST** area of the configuration panel to test your component, for example to view a camera feed or turn a motor.
-6. If any problems occur check the [**LOGS** tab](/cloud/machines/#logs). You can also review the [configuration history](/cloud/machines/#configure) and roll back changes if needed.
+5. When you add a component model, it will create a panel in the configuration builder tool. Fill in any required attributes, following the documentation for the specific model.
+6. Click the **TEST** area of the configuration panel to test your component, for example to view a camera feed or turn a motor.
+7. If any problems occur check the [**LOGS** tab](/cloud/machines/#logs). You can also review the [configuration history](/cloud/machines/#configure) and roll back changes if needed.
 
 {{% /tablestep %}}
 {{% tablestep %}}

docs/how-tos/create-module.md

@@ -1613,7 +1613,8 @@ If you would like to test your module locally against a target platform other th
 
 {{% /alert %}}
 
-To use a local module on your machine, first add its module to your machine's config, then add the component or service it implements:
+To use a local module on your machine, first make sure any physical hardware implemented in your module is connected to your machine's computer.
+Add the module to your machine's config, then add the component or service it implements:
 
 1. Navigate to the **CONFIGURE** tab of your machine's page in [the Viam app](https://app.viam.com).
 

docs/how-tos/deploy-ml.md

@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ You could then use that knowledge to [give your dog treats](https://www.viam.com
 
 {{% expand "A configured camera. Click to see instructions." %}}
 
-Navigate to the **CONFIGURE** tab of your machine's page in [the Viam app](https://app.viam.com).
+First, connect the camera to your machine's computer if it's not already connected (like with an inbuilt laptop webcam).
+
+Then, navigate to the **CONFIGURE** tab of your machine's page in [the Viam app](https://app.viam.com).
 Click the **+** icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select **Component**.
 Then [find and add a camera model](/components/camera/) that supports your camera.
 

docs/how-tos/detect-color.md

@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ Select the Platform you want to install `viam-server` on.
 {{% /expand%}}
 {{% expand "Step 3: Configure your webcam" %}}
 
+First, make sure to connect your webcam to your machine if it's not already connected (like with an inbuilt laptop webcam).
+
 Click the **+** icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select **Component**.
 Select the `camera` type, then select the `webcam` model.
 Enter a name or use the suggested name for your camera and click **Create**.

docs/how-tos/drive-rover.md

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ If you are running out of time during your session, you can [extend your rover s
 {{% tab name="Other Rover" %}}
 
 {{% alert title="Important" color="note" %}}
-If you are using your own robot for this tutorial instead of [borrowing one](https://app.viam.com/try), be sure to [install `viam-server`](/installation/#install-viam-server) on it and [configure](/tutorials/configure/configure-rover/) its hardware before proceeding with this tutorial.
+If you are using your own robot for this tutorial instead of [borrowing one](https://app.viam.com/try), be sure to [install `viam-server`](/installation/#install-viam-server) on it, and connect and [configure](/tutorials/configure/configure-rover/) its hardware before proceeding with this tutorial.
 {{% /alert %}}
 
 {{% /tab %}}

docs/how-tos/image-data.md

@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ From there, you can use your image data to do things like [train ML models](/how
 
 {{% expand "A configured camera. Click to see instructions." %}}
 
+First, make sure to connect your camera to your machine if it's not already connected (like with an inbuilt laptop webcam).
+
 Navigate to the **CONFIGURE** tab of your machine's page in [the Viam app](https://app.viam.com).
 Click the **+** icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select **Component**.
 Then [find and add a camera model](/components/camera/) that supports your camera.

docs/how-tos/navigate.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Once you have configured your machine, you can remotely control your machine on
 **1. Teleoperate**
 
 You can remotely control your rover from anywhere through the [Viam app](https://app.viam.com).
-Create an account and add a machine, [install `viam-server`](/installation/), and [configure your rover base](/components/base/).
+After physically setting up the hardware on your base and powering the base on, create an account and add a machine, [install `viam-server`](/installation/), and [configure your rover base](/components/base/).
 Then, go to the **CONTROL** tab and access a remote control card for your base, with an interface for controlling speed, direction, and power.
 You can also view live feeds from any cameras you configure.
 

docs/how-tos/sensor-module.md

@@ -384,6 +384,7 @@ sudo chmod +x <your-file-path-to>/run.sh
 {{% expand "Prerequisite: A running machine connected to the Viam app." %}}
 
 You can write a module without a machine, but to test your module you'll need a machine.
+Make sure to physically connect your sensor to your machine's computer to prepare your machine for testing.
 
 {{% snippet "setup.md" %}}
 

docs/how-tos/trigger-sync.md

@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ Also leave both **Capturing** and **Syncing** toggles in the "on" position.
 
 {{% expand "Create a sensor module. Click to see instructions." %}}
 
-Start by [creating a sensor module](/how-tos/sensor-module/). Your sensor should have access to the information you need to determine if your machine should sync or not.
+Start by [creating a sensor module](/how-tos/sensor-module/).
+Your sensor should have access to the information you need to determine if your machine should sync or not.
 Based on that data, make the sensor return true when the machine should sync and false when it should not.
 For example, if your want your machine to return data only during a specific time interval, your sensor needs to be able to access the time as well as be configured with the time interval during which you would like to sync data.
 It can then return true during the specified sync time interval and false otherwise.
@@ -115,7 +116,8 @@ For additional examples, see the `Readings` function of the [time-interval-trigg
 
 ## Add your sensor to determine when to sync
 
-Add your module to your machine and configure it. In this example we will continue to use [`sync-at-time:timesyncsensor`](https://app.viam.com/module/naomi/sync-at-time).
+Add your module to your machine and configure it.
+In this example we will continue to use [`sync-at-time:timesyncsensor`](https://app.viam.com/module/naomi/sync-at-time).
 You will need to follow the same steps with your module:
 
 {{< table >}}
@@ -286,6 +288,7 @@ You have now configured sync to happen during a specific time slot.
 ## Test your sync configuration
 
 To test your setup, [configure a webcam](/components/camera/webcam/) or another component and [enable data capture on the component](/services/data/capture-sync/#configure-data-capture-and-sync).
+Make sure to physically connect any hardware parts to the computer controlling your machine.
 For a camera component, use the `ReadImage` method.
 The data manager will now capture data.
 Go to the [**CONTROL** tab](/fleet/control/).