Gail Eddy, Nederland. Are you looking for a fun summer project? How about seeing what you can do with a Raspberry Pi? The Raspberry Pi has been around for a few years and, for the technologically inclined, it provides computing on the cheap.
In case you haven’t heard about it yet, TechRepublic provides this Executive Summary about the Raspberry Pi:
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/raspberry-pi-the-smart-persons-guide/
* What it is: A credit card-sized computer that costs as little as $5 that spawned a community of millions of home makers and programmers.
* What it does: A lot. Despite its low-cost, the Pi can be run as a no frills PC, a pocketable coding computer, a hub for homemade hardware and more.
* Why it matters: The Pi is a great machine for stoking interest in programming among schoolchildren worldwide and helping create the next generation of developers.
* Who it affects: Anyone with the inclination to pick up a Pi and start tinkering.
* When is this happening: Right now. More than eight million Pi boards have been sold since the machine’s launch in 2012 and demand was reinvigorated by the recent release of the Raspberry Pi 3.
* Where is this happening: All over the world, with the Pi’s official forums supporting a community of more than 150,000 active users.
* Who is making it happen: A not for profit charity on a mission to get the world interested in how computers work.
More info and resources are available on the Raspberry Pi website. https://www.raspberrypi.org/
Technical Specs from Element 14
Most of the reviews like the older Pi better than the new Pi 3, but do like the built in WiFi:
* IT-Pro: Older Pi’s are still better for embedded systems and others projects where the lowest possible power consumption is paramount, but for other uses, especially as a Windows desktop PC replacement, the Pi 3 is a cracking upgrade.http://www.itpro.co.uk/desktop-pcs/26315/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-review-1.
* Top New Review: The new Raspberry Pi is faster than the previous model, but it’s not the same step up as the transition from the Pi 1 to the Pi 2, when we saw a six-fold increase in performance. The 30-40% speedup over an overclocked Pi 2 is noticeable, but it’s not enough to really change the usage of the device. For us, the onboard Wi-Fi is the biggest feature of the new device. Unless you’re specifically having performance problems, the Pi 3 doesn’t offer enough new features to recommend abandoning a Pi 2 for it. However, if you’re in the market fora new single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B should be the first device you consider. http://topnewreview.com/raspberry-pi-3-review/
* Stuff: The Raspberry Pi 3 B is an almost perfect update to the Pi 2 B. We get loads more power, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. And, the best bit, no price increase. It has all the bits we wanted, none of the elements we don’t care about. A winner. http://www.stuff.tv/in/raspberry/pi-3/review
If you’re looking for some projects to do, there are a plethora available! A quick search came up with a whole bunch of projects:
* Make a case from an Altoids tin - http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Raspberry-Pi-Case-From-an-Altoids-Ti/
* Make your Pi Solar Powered - http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Powered-Raspberry-Pi/
* Top 20 Projects - http://www.itpro.co.uk/mobile/21862/raspberry-pi-top-20-projects-to-try-yourself.
* 9 Best Projects - http://www.stuff.tv/features/9-best-raspberry-pi-projects
You can find a complete kit on Amazon for under $75: CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition.
Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PC’s for the past fourteen years. GFH is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more on our website. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.
