Raspberry Pi (no, not the edible one, but the cheap computer)

[Ouroboros]

I just got myself a Raspberry Pi. (Link: Raspberry Pi | An ARM GNU/Linux box for $25. Take a byte!)

It's a tiny, cheap Linux box. It's only a few inches long, wide, and perhaps an inch high. It connects through USB and HDMI. It's "harddisk" is a flash card.

I just got it installed and running, and looking into the User Guide, I can't help but reminiscing about how it was when Vic-20 came out and reading the first handbook for it. Good times.

Now, I'm going to try to write a small game for this machine in Python. Yay!

 

[Magic Man]

I'd be interested to hear about your experience with it when you've had a chance to use it for a while. I was going to get one a while back, but they had sold out, and I never got around to it.

 

[Ouroboros]

I could give a post here and there to update on my journey and what I've tried to do so far.

I bought a set from Amazon that included the plastic box and charger (same as android). Amazon.com : CanaKit Raspberry Pi (512 MB) Basic Kit (Raspberry Pi 512 MB + Clear Case + Micro USB Power Supply) : Computers & Accessories

I didn't get the one with a preinstalled NOOB (the Linux for it) flash card, but bought the card separately. I recommend to get the card preinstalled to get started quickly, but it's good to know how to install on your own black flash card too.

When I got it, I plugged in the HDMI and the power... black screen. Nothing happened. No light in the box even. Fear is starting to creep up. Is it broken out of the box?

I try another charger. Oh, success... kind'a. The light inside the box lit up. So the power wasn't working. But still black screen! Urgh.

So I'm thinking, perhaps I have to install the flash card to make it work? So there are some links to go to for download and instructions. I'm doing it. Takes forever to download and there's a special program to format the card. Ok. Well, bit the bullet. After it's all downloaded, card formatted, then copy the unpacked files from the NOOB download (also takes time), then plug it in the raspi, and repower... Yeah! It works!

It allows you to install different version, I think, but I pick the top one and it works great. Even the wireless keyboard that I got works. Then I went on and got the Wifi card (USB) also working. Very cool.

Next, I got ssh going, and even remote X session. So I can log in from my mac remotely.

So now I've updated all the packages and installed Erlang. Now back to programming.

---

Oh, and I just figured out why the charger in the package didn't work. My power strip wasn't on. :doh:

 

[Slapstick]

I was speaking with some people the other day about creating a forensics lab at our college and it got me thinking about building a supercomputer with grant money the college gets. I'm not doing my capstone this semester, I will be doing it next semester. But nevertheless, I decided to do a random Google search on supercomputers, and came across this Raspberry Pi supercomputer which is just crazy looking. I also have some Professors that built one for under $100 that could do a little over a teraflop of processing. Which is pretty impressive if you think about. I need to get their research (documentation) paper from him now that I'm thinking about it. But I didn’t even know what Raspberry Pi was until the other day, and now I know a little more due to your hobby. Just curious, what type of Linux distribution comes with it or what kind did you put on?

I have also been thinking about creating a Linux box myself, but for mobile purposes. Think I may try to find a laptop somewhere for a few hundred dollars and set it up the way i want. Unless I decide to completely build one from scratch.

 

[Ouroboros]

But nevertheless, I decided to do a random Google search on supercomputers, and came across this Raspberry Pi supercomputer which is just crazy looking.

It's totally AWESOME!!!

But I didn’t even know what Raspberry Pi was until the other day, and now I know a little more due to your hobby.

You're welcome.

Just curious, what type of Linux distribution comes with it or what kind did you put on?

You download a specific port of Debian (called NOOBS for some reason, don't know why yet. I'm a newbi) from here: Downloads | Raspberry Pi

I have also been thinking about creating a Linux box myself, but for mobile purposes. Think I may try to find a laptop somewhere for a few hundred dollars and set it up the way i want. Unless I decide to completely build one from scratch.

This one is pretty much on that level. It's cheap. You probably could build a stand-alone power supply to it on 9V or something. Haven't looked into that part yet.

The idea of the raspi is to provide a very cheap and simple computer.

There's another one that's even cheaper though. Maximite. That one runs a special made BASIC.

But I like the Raspi because you can program Java, Perl, Python, Erlang, C, and C++ on it. Even use it for word processing and graphics. Some converted it to a media player (mp3 etc).

 

[Slapstick]

It's totally AWESOME!!!


You're welcome.

Yeah, totally awesome. I thought this kind of thing was lost to the ages(like the 70s). Its cool to see things like this still exist.

You download a specific port of Debian (called NOOBS for some reason, don't know why yet. I'm a newbi) from here: Downloads | Raspberry Pi

Nothing wrong with being a newb. We were all no0bs once. It stands for new out of box software, which is recommended. I guess later, if you wanted to install a different distribution you could do so by putting it on a flash drive or whatever space you may have available. They prefer a SD card, but since you said you have USB ports you could use a flash. Is that version purely a command line terminal or does it provide you with a GUI?

I
This one is pretty much on that level. It's cheap. You probably could build a stand-alone power supply to it on 9V or something. Haven't looked into that part yet.

The idea of the raspi is to provide a very cheap and simple computer.

There's another one that's even cheaper though. Maximite. That one runs a special made BASIC.

But I like the Raspi because you can program Java, Perl, Python, Erlang, C, and C++ on it. Even use it for word processing and graphics. Some converted it to a media player (mp3 etc).

Java is the best, most widely used programming language and works cross-platform. It is also for advanced programmers.

Python is used for a variety of reasons, but mainly for number crunching, and scientific research - its also good for beginners (to learn how to program).

 

[Ouroboros]

Yeah, totally awesome. I thought this kind of thing was lost to the ages(like the 70s). Its cool to see things like this still exist.

I know, right? Totally remember Apple II and Vic20.

Nothing wrong with being a newb.

I hope I didn't give the impression that I'm a noob to computers. I'[ve been a computer guy since the 70s. BUilt a few. Currently have 10 of them in my den that have grown out of what they were used for. Thinking of repurpose them all and install Erlang and create a huge swarm intelligence cluster... :/ Never done it. Maybe I'll call it... Beast. And password 666, of course. LOL!

We were all no0bs once. It stands for new out of box software,

Ah. :thanks:

which is recommended. I guess later, if you wanted to install a different distribution you could do so by putting it on a flash drive or whatever space you may have available. They prefer a SD card, but since you said you have USB ports you could use a flash.

It was fairly simple to use the SD card, and I have a few old card laying around. That's a great idea to install different distros and play around that way.

Is that version purely a command line terminal or does it provide you with a GUI?

You choose during install. I picked the graphical interface. It's fairly simple desktop, not fancy stuff going around, but not super dumbed down like DSL. It recognizes USB keyboards, mouses, wifi cards, and more just straight in. I got the mini keyboard from logitech with a mouse pad builtin. And a Edimax 150 Mbps wireless 802.11b/g/n nano USB adapter. Worked like a charm. I expect to have to download drivers and such, but no. Only needed to configure the network SID and such.

Java is the best, most widely used programming language and works cross-platform. It is also for advanced programmers.

Yeah. I've done some Java. It's very powerful. My daughter in highschool is learning it right now.

But my oldest son is currently teaching a small group of kids how to use and program the raspberry pi, and he's using Python. He wants to write a little game, and Py is his choice right now.

Python is used for a variety of reasons, but mainly for number crunching, and scientific research - its also good for beginners (to learn how to program).

Python is new to me. But I know so many other languages that it's not a problem to learn. Just need the basic syntax.

But I can't help to think of Erlang... I didn't hear about it until recently. It's failsafe, fully concurrent, and you can hot-swap code in production. It's built on Smalltalk and Prolog. To connect a bunch of my computers and get them all cluster up... that's something I haven't done before, but wanted to.

Oh, better write this down while I remember it. There are some virtual machine images of raspberry pi. Not sure how good they are, but that's an option for anyone who wants to just get the feel of the gui, I guess.

 

[Monotheist 101]

Its excellent I have two both run xbmc (lots of free streaming..like everything you could imagine), Have an extra memory card lying around which is basically used for experimenting with open source linux based operating systems.

 

[philbo]

Python is new to me. But I know so many other languages that it's not a problem to learn. Just need the basic syntax.

I've never understood why so many job ads put so much stress on having to have used a language for x years.

 

[Ouroboros]

I've never understood why so many job ads put so much stress on having to have used a language for x years.

Depends on language though. All of the object oriented languages are extremely similar. So similar that I often mix up syntax and keywords between them.

It's harder to switch to other paradigms though. Prolog, LISP, APL, Forth, are very different in how they work, and any language built on them will be harder to learn if you're used to OOP.

But other than that, yeah, you're absolutely right. In general you don't have to have a long run with a specific language to be able to do great in it. And also, every modern and popular language is updated every-so-often so even the oldies need to learn the new stuff.

 

[philbo]

I switch between an ancient BASIC-like database language & C# at work, jumping in and out of object orientation for the last few years. I know what you mean about mixing keywords, but that's what auto-complete is for

The biggest problem for me is not so much the language itself, but making sure I'm doing things in an efficient manner, and not completely ignoring the best way to handle any particular task - especially once one gets into writing ASP stuff, the number of ways of handling any job seems to be more than uses for a dead cat.

 

[Ouroboros]

I switch between an ancient BASIC-like database language & C# at work, jumping in and out of object orientation for the last few years. I know what you mean about mixing keywords, but that's what auto-complete is for

LOL. So true. When the first auto-sense drop-downs came about years ago, I was ecstatic. It helps so much to press tab and then dot and get the list of all methods, even with parameters. Kids don't know how easy they have it. I remember having to look up in reference books, physical books, not even having man pages. Man pages revolutionized my life too, btw.

The biggest problem for me is not so much the language itself, but making sure I'm doing things in an efficient manner, and not completely ignoring the best way to handle any particular task - especially once one gets into writing ASP stuff, the number of ways of handling any job seems to be more than uses for a dead cat.

My art teacher (I'm currently taking art classes, yup, going a completely different direction in my life right now) is using a phrase: "perfection is the enemy of the good." And that's always my problem. I over-think, over solve, keep on digging and beating up a problem to find the most optimal and efficient solution... to the point that I sometimes can't finish a project. When I was younger, I could feel anxiety building up because I felt it could be done better than it was. Well, now I'm older and tired. Getting too lazy to care about perfection anymore.

 

[philbo]

LOL. So true. When the first auto-sense drop-downs came about years ago, I was ecstatic. It helps so much to press tab and then dot and get the list of all methods, even with parameters. Kids don't know how easy they have it. I remember having to look up in reference books, physical books, not even having man pages. Man pages revolutionized my life too, btw.

Luxury. When I were a lad, we had to decompile the compiler to find out what parameters a call took. And then t'were all on tape. With t'help file all on punch cards. But tell the young folk of today that, and they won't beleive you.
(with apolologies to the Four Yorkshiremen)

My art teacher (I'm currently taking art classes, yup, going a completely different direction in my life right now) is using a phrase: "perfection is the enemy of the good." And that's always my problem. I over-think, over solve, keep on digging and beating up a problem to find the most optimal and efficient solution... to the point that I sometimes can't finish a project. When I was younger, I could feel anxiety building up because I felt it could be done better than it was. Well, now I'm older and tired. Getting too lazy to care about perfection anymore.

I'm still a little bit too much the perfectionist for my own good.

Though in my case, the completely different direction is stand-up comedy rather than art classes, that might've been different if I had even the tiniest vestiges of talent in the arts

 

[Ouroboros]

Luxury. When I were a lad, we had to decompile the compiler to find out what parameters a call took.

Hehe. Well, I remember my Vic20. It was wonderful times. I disassembled the ROM just for the heck of it, and I used tape for storage, but I never had it so bad that I had to decompile to get the parameters. LOL. That's harsh.

And then t'were all on tape. With t'help file all on punch cards. But tell the young folk of today that, and they won't beleive you.

I pretty much just missed the punch-cards with a year or two. I was doing a summer job at my big brother's work. They had a locked computer room with a huge drum, the old harddisk that weighted 300 lbs or something, and could only store 150 kB or whatever it was. They used punch cards, but I worked in the shipping department and didn't get a chance to play with the computer.

(with apolologies to the Four Yorkshiremen)

Lol. I was thinking of that skit too.

I'm still a little bit too much the perfectionist for my own good.

Though in my case, the completely different direction is stand-up comedy rather than art classes, that might've been different if I had even the tiniest vestiges of talent in the arts

Maybe you're better than you think. I used to paint and draw as a kid, but haven't done anything in 30 years. Then I started to take these art classes with my oldest daughter at the local community college, and I'm doing much better than I thought. I'm no Michelangelo, but I can brush some gesso on a paper without spilling it all over.

 

[philbo]

Maybe you're better than you think.

Trust me, I'm not. I'm really not.

..but I can write a damn funny song, and make people laugh. That'll do me

 

[Slapstick]

I know, right? Totally remember Apple II and Vic20.


I hope I didn't give the impression that I'm a noob to computers. I'[ve been a computer guy since the 70s. BUilt a few. Currently have 10 of them in my den that have grown out of what they were used for. Thinking of repurpose them all and install Erlang and create a huge swarm intelligence cluster... :/ Never done it. Maybe I'll call it... Beast. And password 666, of course. LOL!

LoL – no you didn’t. I knew you were joking.

It was fairly simple to use the SD card, and I have a few old card laying around. That's a great idea to install different distros and play around that way.


You choose during install. I picked the graphical interface. It's fairly simple desktop, not fancy stuff going around, but not super dumbed down like DSL. It recognizes USB keyboards, mouses, wifi cards, and more just straight in. I got the mini keyboard from logitech with a mouse pad builtin. And a Edimax 150 Mbps wireless 802.11b/g/n nano USB adapter. Worked like a charm. I expect to have to download drivers and such, but no. Only needed to configure the network SID and such.


Yeah. I've done some Java. It's very powerful. My daughter in highschool is learning it right now.

But my oldest son is currently teaching a small group of kids how to use and program the raspberry pi, and he's using Python. He wants to write a little game, and Py is his choice right now.


Python is new to me. But I know so many other languages that it's not a problem to learn. Just need the basic syntax.

But I can't help to think of Erlang... I didn't hear about it until recently. It's failsafe, fully concurrent, and you can hot-swap code in production. It's built on Smalltalk and Prolog. To connect a bunch of my computers and get them all cluster up... that's something I haven't done before, but wanted to.

Oh, better write this down while I remember it. There are some virtual machine images of raspberry pi. Not sure how good they are, but that's an option for anyone who wants to just get the feel of the gui, I guess.

That is how I setup all the operating systems and server systems I want to test, through a virtual machine. The computer I have now is nothing great, but I could probably run 15-20 operating systems at once if I wanted too . =)

Nevertheless - Goodluck with your project, experimentation and tinkering.

 

[Ouroboros]

Nevertheless - Goodluck with your project, experimentation and tinkering.

I'll let you know when Skynet is finished... I'll be baack.

 

[Slapstick]

I'll let you know when Skynet is finished... I'll be baack.

Be sure it can self-assemble in case it loses a limb.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Not too much to add to the conversation, but thought I should identify myself as a fellow Raspberry-Pi user.

I have a few flash cards set-up, the RaspBMC (ie. XMBC) getting the most burn. I have a basic Raspian card, and a retro-station one. It's a toy for me, really.
Like most here, I remember learning in the old days, using DOS, writing BASIC, etc.

C-64 mostly in my formative years, but the nostalgia thing is there I guess.

But I think the RaspBMC set-up could be much more than a toy if I invested a little time into it.
Initial results are surprisingly good, and I'm still pretty much clueless.

 

[Slapstick]

Gah.. you guys are hippies...