Questions:
1. Is there a way to determine the version of firmware currently loaded?
1. [CONFIG] -> [VERSION] (requires recent firmware)
2. "version" command on USB serial] (requires recent firmware)
3. "info" command on USB serial shows build time (available with all firmware)
2. Is there a detailed, English language version of the "how to load firmware"
instructions, or only the semi-English version from the Google Drive site?
(dfu-util is multiplatform tool)
3. Any common mistakes or pitfalls to watch out for when loading firmware so I
don't wind up with a brick?
STM32 has DFU updater written in independent memory called "system memory".
The system memory is not writable by user, so there is no worry with a brick. You can write firmware again and again.
4. What firmware version do people recommend? I have no need to measure above
500MHz.
latest one, absolutely.
cho45