Raspberry Pi

MoneySavingUser

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16316439

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

anyone else looking forward to this?

What’s a Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. It’s a capable little PC which can be used for many of the things your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word-processing and games. It also plays high-definition video. We want to see it being used by kids all over the world to learn programming.

Will it run WINE (or Windows, or other x86 software)?
No.
What Linux distros will be supported at launch?
Debian, Fedora and ArchLinux will be supported from the start. We hope to see support from other distros later. We will be selling SD cards with the distros preloaded.

How do I connect a mouse and keyboard?
Mice, keyboards, network adapters and external storage will all connect via a USB hub.

Does the device support networking? Is there Wi-Fi?
The Model B version of the device includes 10/100 wired Ethernet. There is no Ethernet on the Model A version (which we expect to be taken up mostly by the education market), but Wi-Fi will be available via a standard USB dongle.

I guess I will need to buy the board, power supply, usb keyboard, usb hub, usb wi-fi dongle and then try it out with the tv - hopefully people will post good combinations of these items to buy for the cheapest price on here and other forums

penrhyn

I've got a half decent PC, why would I want an updated ZX81?

fwor

In educational terms it's a great idea - especially with something like the "Gertboard" I/O card, which means it can do real-world things such as controlling robots.

I reckon it deserves to get a good following - particularly in poorer countries where schools can't afford "real" PCs and/or can't rely on mains power all the time.

Bogtrotter

I've been watching this intentively and I must say that it's an exciting development but it will depend on the educators picking it up and running with to make it a success. When I was at school it was the BBC Model B and other computers which inspired a generation of bedroom programmers.

One stumbling block are the teachers... computer classes years ago were focused on programming, database creation etc. Unfortunately there are many ICT teachers who are perfectly capable at teaching how to use a computer as a tool but have little knowledge/experience of computer programming.

Another problem is being able to grab the imagination of the young people. 30 years ago it was quite feasible for anyone to create a game title in their spare time (and many did) that could compete at a similar level to the big guns of Atari and Sega and make serious money.

It'll be hard to see youngsters getting excited by programming when alone they will find it impossible produce applications of the calibre of the big companies nowdays.

Despite this I'll be at the front of the queue top get one of these Rasberrypi machines when they are released.

MoneySavingUser

penrhyn wrote: »

I've got a half decent PC, why would I want an updated ZX81?

for fun?

(and I have a decent pc too!)

fwor

Bogtrotter wrote: »

Another problem is being able to grab the imagination of the young people. 30 years ago it was quite feasible for anyone to create a game title in their spare time (and many did) that could compete at a similar level to the big guns of Atari and Sega and make serious money.

It'll be hard to see youngsters getting excited by programming when alone they will find it impossible produce applications of the calibre of the big companies nowdays.

I agree - that's why I was hoping that it gets a strong link to robotics.

Imagine combining this with a cheap 3D printer such as the largely self-replicating RepRap, and for very little outlay you have a computer that can actually ~make~ things.

But as you suggest, that will only happen if teachers have the motivation to make it happen...

Notmyrealname

I've ordered one. It reminds me of the EMMA 6502 computer we used at college in the 80's. Similar idea based on a 6502 computer.

http://www.anf.nildram.co.uk/beebcontrol/arms/atlas/emma.html

esuhl

ArchLinux will be supported from the start.

Ooh! Now that has really piqued my interest...

penrhyn wrote: »

I've got a half decent PC, why would I want an updated ZX81?

Your PC is a multipurpose machine that is to big & too expensive to use semi-permanently as a dedicated machine for some task. The Raspberry Pi is cheap enough (and small enough, and energy-efficient enough) for "fun" learning projects.

I wouldn't want to set up my Core i7 PC (that I can't physically lift) to open & close my curtains and turn on the lights in my house on a schedule, but I could play around with the Raspberry Pi, teach myself a different programming language, and then give it a single task and wire it up permanently in a suitable location if I found the program useful. Then I could get another one and use that to control a robot made out of Lego to amuse my little niece & nephew... or whatever.

mikey72

Notmyrealname wrote: »

I've ordered one. It reminds me of the EMMA 6502 computer we used at college in the 80's. Similar idea based on a 6502 computer.

http://www.anf.nildram.co.uk/beebcontrol/arms/atlas/emma.html

You might have been done there.
"The Raspberry Pi you’ll be buying in January (or by auction later this month if they all work as they should)"

Raspberry aren't taking orders yet.

Good toy to play with though.

Weird_Nev

Bogtrotter wrote: »

Another problem is being able to grab the imagination of the young people. 30 years ago it was quite feasible for anyone to create a game title in their spare time (and many did) that could compete at a similar level to the big guns of Atari and Sega and make serious money.

I dunno.
Have a look at the big software outlets: Andriod Store and itunes! Angry birds is hardly a masterpiece of coding! Anyone can code some little app and earn a few quid now.
And check out mojangs sucess with Minecraft. A Java coding project that went viral, and through internet distribution made it's creator a multi millionaire.

I love the idea of the raspberry. I can imagine sending one up on a weather baloon to take measurements, or controlling a Lego mindstorms robot... At £32 they're practically disposable.

I agree though, I really hope that there are yeachers out there inventive enough and knowledgeable enough to inspire their students.

And zx81?! It's a 256Mg 700mhz risc computer. It can do a hell of a lot more than you think. Like run quake 3 at 1080p!

tafelmoneysaver

penrhyn wrote: »

I've got a half decent PC, why would I want an updated ZX81?

The best answer I can think of is just "because you can"

You could say the same for any number if products - Take the iPad. Does anyone *really* need one? No, but they've sold millions.