Raspberry Pi Pod (moved to www.recantha.co.uk/blog)

Raspberry Pi Pod has MOVED

2012-10-15T11:47:00.001-07:00

My blog is now at:
www.recantha.co.uk/blog

Raspberry Pi & Thoughts on Game Changing Technology (AIXpert Blog)

2012-10-09T23:36:00.001-07:00

Raspberry Pi & Thoughts on Game Changing Technology (AIXpert Blog):
A nice post on ibm.com. It was written back in June, but there's some nice stuff in here about a first-time boot and trying to think of a way to add value to the whole ethos.

Raspberry Pi wins Innovation of the Year - T3 Gadget Awards 2012

2012-10-09T14:41:00.001-07:00

Innovation of the Year 2012
"The first hardware from the UK home computing industry to send shockwaves through the world since the ZX Spectrum, the Raspberry Pi is the little computer that can. Full of Heath Robinson charm, it looks like a fistful of electronics and a couple of output ports nailed to a credit card and is priced at 26 quid; just add control devices, a TV and power supply and you’re away. The Pi puts coding and device building within the reach of anyone; its impact could be nothing less than revolutionary."

Redwing Pi goes to github!

2012-10-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

Just created a repository for my set-up scripts (which form the backbone of my "Redwing Pi").

http://github.com/recantha/redwing-pi/

I've written some instructions for myself for getting existing code into a repository on Git.
Here goes:

First of all, go to github.com and register if you haven't done so and then login after confirming the email they sent you.

Click the Book+ icon at the top right of the browser window to add a new "Repo" (code repository).
When you create it, bear in mind that the folder name when you get the code onto your Pi will be given that name.
Allow it to create a README file - this will help you later.
Finish that process.

Go to your Pi.
apt-get install git
Now go and get the repository code (which is just a README file at the moment):
git clone http://github.com/<your username>/<your repo name>

You should now have a folder called <your repo name>
cd into the folder.
You should see a single file - README.md.

Now, get your pre-created code into the folder:
cp <filename> .

If you have folders full of code:
cp -R <filepath> .

Now, add all the files to your LOCAL repo (on your Pi):
git add *

Now commit your 'changes' to the LOCAL repo
git commit origin master

This will open up an editor (normally 'nano').
Add a comment to say that it's your first revision. Write the file to the filename it gives you and then exit.
This will commit it to the local repo.

Now upload it to the remote repo at github.com
git push origin master
Put your username/password in and it should upload. You can check this in your browser as the 'age' should change to something like "a minute ago"

From now on when you add a file, do
git add *

From now on when you change a file, you should just do:
git commit .
git push

If it says "Everything up-to-date" then you've uploaded all your changes already.

Battle of the Enclosures (reblog)

2012-10-08T05:41:00.001-07:00

Just found this. It was written at the end of August 2012, but is interesting - an evaluation of Pi cases.

Raspberry Pi, Battle of the Enclosures | Wolf Paulus:

16x2 LCD - with Contrast control

2012-10-06T02:55:00.001-07:00

Project – Raspberry Pi - 16x2 LCD - with Contrast control - Fritzing

Fritzing circuit design to create a Raspberry Pi controlled 16x2 LCD module set-up. Has a contrast control potentiometer fitted so the text can be read clearly!

Another weather station...

2012-10-05T05:23:00.001-07:00

yfory.cc:

'via Blog this'

Raspberry Pi broadcasts weather station data to the Web

2012-10-05T05:21:00.001-07:00

DragonTail Mapping and the Raspberry Pi:

'via Blog this'

Airplay with Raspberry Pi (reblog from Stuart Ford)

2012-10-05T04:59:00.001-07:00

Stuart Ford | Stuart Benjamin Ford:

'via Blog this'

Friday silliness: FieldCandy Circuit Board Tent

2012-10-05T04:42:00.001-07:00

Board | FieldCandy:

Only a geek/nerd could love this tent!

Learn the Linux command line

2012-10-05T01:04:00.001-07:00

LinuxCommand.org: Learn the Linux command line. Write shell scripts.:

Just found this nifty little site that aims to teach you how to use the terminal.
Also known as... What the hell is:
pi@raspberry:~$

????

Connect up a 16x2 LCD to GPIO

2012-10-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

Project – Raspberry Pi - 16x2 LCD - Fritzing:
Above is a link to my Fritzing page showing my circuit diagram for connecting a 16x2 LCD module to the Raspberry Pi.
I based it on http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2012/07/16x2-lcd-module-control-using-python/ but wanted to play around with the Fritzing software anyway.

I've now taken it apart and will re-assemble as part of the PiPodCorder project.

Retro computing with the Raspberry Pi (reblog)

2012-10-04T01:03:00.001-07:00

Through the Interface: Retro computing with the Raspberry Pi:

'via Blog this'

Buying a Raspberry Pi (updated 3rd Oct 2012)

2012-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Now that the Pi is available generally, several online stores are stocking it, or are taking orders. I have done a survey of places to buy the Pi. I have tried to get prices including VAT and delivery. Some of the sites are so bad that I just couldn't bring myself to get that far. Normally the prices make this no great loss!
Unless specified, the Raspberry Pis are in-stock.

eBay

If you want to purchase via eBay:

Search for "raspberry pi model". This should filter out most of the accessories, though you will still get some.
Always make sure the seller has a good rating
I recommend clicking the Buy It Now and UK location filters on the left-hand side to reduce them to people who will sell it to you immediately and is in the UK, which I always find is more reliable.

Comparisons

NB: No guarantee is given by me that you will have good experiences with any of these suppliers - these are the results of a website survey and are not intended as a buying experience review (unless it's really obvious that it is!).

Where eBay sellers are concerned, I've tried to only go for those that are commercial ventures rather than private sales or sole traders.

Ratings (marked with s) are for companies that I have personally used or have been used by members of the Milton Keynes Raspberry Jam group.

Site	Notes	Price including delivery
Farnell Element14 CPC	For Farnell, it is stated as currently a 3-week lead-time. All three sites mentioned are the same site, occasional difference in branding. However, for CPC, they are apparently in stock... which I wish I'd known before ordering it from elsewhere... Seriously, farnell.com should serve one set of stock from one company regardless of sub-domains!	£29.95
proto-pic.co.uk	Currently not available to buy because of stock problems (sigh)	£30.59
raspberrypi.rsdelivers.com	8 week delay and no good reports make this one one-to-miss. Their epic delivery times are legendary (I had a 5-month wait! The record I'm aware of at the moment is 7 months!).	£30.87
Tandy	Ahhh. Good old Tandy. Nice looking site, piece of cake to use.	£30.99
newit.co.uk	Bit ugly, but easy to use. Stunningly fast delivery.	£32
ukcomputerparts.net	Site is alright. 1 week delay (not sure I trust that, though)	£33.79
phenoptix.com	Well-respected site, though a bit 'busy'. Very good price. Also sell through Amazon. However... they don't guarantee which revision of the board will be sent...	£35
skpang.co.uk	Local (to me) Harlow seller, very highly respected by the Pi community. Currently SOLD OUT.	£35
coolcomponents.co.uk	Great site, lots of stuff available, different speed delivery options available. Going for 1st Class postage.	£35.16
Mallinson Electrical: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/mallinson-electrical, http://www.mallinson-electrical.com/shop/	Good site, very new supplier, hence the eBay shop as well. Slightly cheaper from their own site.	£37.25
myworld.ebay.co.uk/4tronix_uk	eBay seller. Also sells HDMI and power cable (but no plug!) for an extra £3.	£37.80
amazon.co.uk	If you don't know who they are by now… Phenoptix sells through Amazon. Phenoptix sells through Amazon.	£37.99
myworld.ebay.co.uk/trendinguk	eBay seller.	£38
www.vesalia.de	Looks like a 1 week delay. Cheeky buggers make you pay extra for using PayPal!	£38.36
myworld.ebay.co.uk/bluelagoonproducts	eBay seller	£39.12
thepihut.com	Good, simple site. Not sure if delivery is on top as I didn't want to register.	£39.99
www.c-u-s.co.uk	Site is average. They also have an eBay shop which is about the same price.	£42
goodsstall.co.uk (gvc)		£42.24
usbdrivesandapps.com	Site is a mess and just stupid, you HAVE to buy an SD card and other peripheral. Gave up.	£50
carcomputer.co.uk (Liliput)	What a complete mess of a site... Gave up	£50
maplin.co.uk	High street chain store. Their price includes peripherals to get you up and running.	£69.99

If anyone knows of any other (reasonably priced!) places to buy the Pi, comment on this post and I shall research and add if appropriate!

VGA output on the Pi...

2012-10-03T06:21:00.001-07:00

When it comes to getting Raspberry Pis into schools, I believe that the biggest hurdle is what monitors (displays/screens) the school has available. Perhaps something like this could be used? It's a circuit board that outputs VGA, but I'm not sure of the input.
http://pi.gadgetoid.co.uk/post/011-vga-out-on-the-pi

Or perhaps we could get away with a composite video to VGA socket?

Raspberry Pi as a DMX light controller

2012-10-03T00:12:00.001-07:00

Raspberry Pi as a DMX light controller:

'via Blog this'

Element14 lets London school cook up Raspberry Pi code | IT PRO

2012-10-02T12:46:00.001-07:00

Element14 lets London school cook up Raspberry Pi code | IT PRO:
A group of London school children have been given the chance to test out their coding skills on a Raspberry Pi computer.
Nearly 250 students at St Saviour’s Primary School in Paddington, London, got their hands on the British-developed device to programme a Lego robot crocodile as part of the school’s day of creativity.
The credit card-sized computers were supplied by Raspberry Pi global distributor element14.

Foolproof operating System install instructions for Raspberry Pi on Windows

2012-10-02T06:11:00.001-07:00

Exactly what it says on the tin. These are instructions from Raspi.TV on how to download and write an operating system image onto an SD card for the Raspberry Pi.

A couple of teachers asked me to do some instructions for them at the Milton Keynes Jam on how to download and install the OS for the Pi. They have to get incredibly good at this task as they will likely have to carry out this process several times a week, what with students tinkering and messing up! :-)

Alex at Raspi.TV has done a great job on some instructions and so, rather than re-invent the wheel, I thought I would just point people at it.

Visit the link below for the instructions:
http://raspi.tv/2012/how-to-make-a-raspberry-pi-disk-image-to-sd-card-with-win32diskimager

20 Pis Donated to College of West Anglia

2012-10-02T04:45:00.001-07:00

The College of West Anglia - CWA:

'via Blog this'

Magician Robot Chassis from Cool Components

2012-10-01T21:52:00.001-07:00

After School club starts building a robot with the Raspberry Pi!
http://cymplecy.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/after-school-mini-bytes-club/

They are using the following robot chassis:
Magician Robot Chassis from Cool Components

PiPodCorder - PiPod Tricorder

2012-10-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

Long-term hardware project: a Raspberry Pi tricorder. It's not exactly a novel idea, but it gives me the opportunity to merge my software skills with the hardware side of the Pi, which I'm just learning.

PHASE 1 - Tricorder
BASICS

Battery-powered Raspberry Pi with 3.5mm (or larger) screen.
Additional diagnostics via 16x2 lcd screen.
Wifi network access.
Extended capabilities via Windows Mobile phone connecting with VNC and Putty.
Rii Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad. (Touchpad will be visible all the time as will a couple of the keys, but the main part of the keyboard will be a 'revealable' affair.
Contained in a clamshell case of some sort.
LCD readout panel. (PARTIALLY DONE)
LCDs and moving parts for function and decoration.

SENSORS

Temperature/humidity
Distance via ultrasonic
Movement via PIR
Barometric pressure

PHASE 2 (Location and Environment)

Add GPS module
Add mapping interface to GPS
Light level sensor
Compass module
Some kind of on/off switch for the Pi itself
Accelerometer

PHASE 3 (Medical tricorder)

Some kind of bluetooth/wireless peripheral ("Medical tricorder") for taking temperatures, that kind of thing.
A camera to take picture of 'patients'.
Heart rate / blood oxygen monitor - http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/heart-rate-monitor-p-816.html
Geiger counter (for when you absolutely MUST know the level of cosmic radiation on that alien planet!)
Some kind of sound sensor
Some kind of bluetooth/wireless peripheral ("Medical tricorder") for taking temperatures, that kind of thing.
A camera to take picture of 'patients'.

Hoping that at each Milton Keynes Raspberry Jam I can show a bit more.

The PiPodcorder will run Adafruit's Occidentalis distro with my Redwing script suite.

Now, if only I could find my original toy tricorder...

Great & Vital Raspberry Pi Websites (#1)

2012-09-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

This will be a series for Great Raspberry Pi Websites.

First up is Raspi.TV - http://raspi.tv/.
As the site proclaims, it is a site for "Raspberry Pi Information and Videos" but it's more than that. Alex, the site creator, explained at the Milton Keynes Raspberry Jam that the way he does his videos and instructions is to a) write them and b) try them out himself.
That means, that the site features, if not fool-proof, then hard-to-mess-up and above all accurate instructions on how to do lots of things with your Pi.
Currently (1st October 2012), the site contains articles on everything from first installation to using the Gertboard expansion board to control a motor.

Fantastic, multimedia, content on a very easy to use site. That's why it becomes our first Great Raspberry Pi Website.

Occidentalis / Redwing

2012-09-29T03:11:00.002-07:00

Well!
That went well!
My Redwing Pi is now back to usable and is using the Adafruit Occidentalis v0.2 distro.

Here's a list of what it currently has on it now I've finished with my tweaks:

Hexxeh's rpi-update
Up-to-date raspi-config
Memory split to favour core rather than video
Overclocked to 900mhz (not verified that's worked yet)
GIT core
Two wifi networks (home and work) with auto-connect at boot
Using the Edimax wifi adapter that is becoming so beloved (the one with the gold usb contact)
Used a script to speed up the boot cycle
Increased the size of the shell history to make documentation easier.
Installed the following:

screen (to allow login sessions to be accessed by multiple users)
Apache and PHP (to give you a web server)
Samba (to let you see and use your Pi's drive on a Windows network)
Raspcontrol (a web interface to let you see what's going on with your Pi without remoting in)

Now backing the image up so I can go to the MK Raspberry Jam with my 'virgin Pi' presentation and get back to where I was easily.

Build a Touchless 3D Tracking Interface with Everyday Materials (reblog)

2012-09-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

Great article and guide on how to make a 3D tracking interface with cardboard and aluminium foil and an Arduino. Might be a great project for someone to tie into a Pi!
MAKE | Build a Touchless 3D Tracking Interface with Everyday Materials: