When I only installed Honeywell/Ademco and Apex, I was a big fan on laying boards flat. Once I got past my first M1 into a larger install with multiple boards, it took a couple of these to really see how the can is "designed" and for which components where, but once you see it and lay one out, it really makes sense.
IMHO, the blinky bus lights aren't really useful once the boards are enrolled. Any wiring or additions I do, I just pull the phoenix connector and make connections in my hand. Guess I'm really used to it, but I don't see the big deal in unplugging it, making connections and plugging back in.
