Before programming anything else, let's connect the Gumstix. You need a terminal program such as Minicom or Kermit. We'll use Kermit.
To connect to the Gumstix console, you need a serial port, found on the tweener board or one of the console expansion boards. You will also need a null modem cable with appropriate connectors.
After installing Kermit and getting a null-modem setup, configure Kermit like this (+/- device name)
radiant:~ spider$ cat .kermrc
set escape 1
set line /dev/tty.usbserial-FTCY 27 WQ
set carrier-watch off
set speed 115200
set file type bin
set reliable
fast
set flow-control none
set rec pack 4096
set send pack 4096
set window 5
set prefixing all
Notice that this can be stored in a .kermrc file in your home dir.
Connect to the Gumstix using the command
kermit -c
U should now be connected. Login is by default
root gumstix