Exploring the Raspberry Pi through real-world projects

Conclusions

Raspberry Pi is obviously not a desktop system. If using the terminal seems too strange and cryptic to you, you should start with the desktop and work your way to the command line gradually.

From its very conception, the RasPi was conceived as an energy-efficient PC for multimedia applications, and it is clearly intended for use as an embedded system. The hardware is ideally suited for use as a server or process computer, or for controlling tasks in hobby projects that are not too power hungry. The configuration makes it possible to connect necessary peripherals, and the header practically begs you to put together additional features to suit your own needs. A specialized Linux distributions will help make the first steps easier for novices.

The developers have achieved their original goal of making computer technology tangible for interested – and especially young – people. The winter and school year are in their most difficult phases; for the next project in your basement, Raspberry Pi receives our warmest recommendations.

Infos

  1. Raspberry Pi: http://www.raspberrypi.org
  2. Hardware Buying Guide: http://elinux.org/RPi_Hardware_Basic_Setup#Typical_Hardware_You_Will_Need
  3. More help choosing hardware: http://elinux.org/RPi_VerifiedPeripherals
  4. Farnell element14 (Europe)/Newark element14 (North America): http://uk.farnell.com http://www.newark.com
  5. RS Components (UK)/Allied Electronics (North America): http://uk.rs-online.com http://www.alliedelec.com
  6. For answers to questions, turn to: http://elinux.org/RaspberryPiBoard
  7. Raspbian "Wheezy": http://www.raspbian.org
  8. Omxplayer audio/video player: https://github.com/huceke/omxplayer
  9. Hostapd: http://hostap.epitest.fi/hostapd
  10. Quick2Wire Python API: https://github.com/quick2wire/quick2wire-python-api
  11. GPIO Admin: https://github.com/quick2wire/quick2wire-gpio-admin

The Author

Werner Hein has been working with Linux as a hobby since 1994 and as a professional with mobile telephony since 1997. His soldering iron had been unused for quite some time until he picked it up again for this article.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • WiFi Thermo-Hygrometer

    A WiFi sensor monitors indoor humidity and temperature and a Node-RED dashboard reports the results, helping you to maintain a pleasant environment.

  • Pigpio

    The wiringPi library, which many Raspberry Pi fans have grown attached to over the years, is no longer under maintenance by its developer. An alternative, in the form of Pigpio, has arrived just in time.

  • Onion Pi

    Extend protection to all of your Internet traffic with a Raspberry Pi minicomputer set up as a cost-effective external proxy server.

  • How to Quickly Configure Wireless WPA Connection on Raspberry Pi
  • Kitchen Timer

    A simple kitchen helper with two timers assists budding chefs in coping with dishes that are unlikely to be ready at the same time.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News