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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: Glenn on Feb 29, 2012, 08:41:23

Title: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Glenn on Feb 29, 2012, 08:41:23
A computer for £22 is now available the Raspberry Pi (no you can't eat it, Rik) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17190918 One application for it is as a learning tool for schools.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Feb 29, 2012, 09:05:01
I don't know, grilled with a good sauce...  ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Glenn on Feb 29, 2012, 09:06:29
I would have put the thread in computer news, but we don't currently have a general computer news board.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Feb 29, 2012, 09:08:20
Time for a rethink?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: gizmo71 on Feb 29, 2012, 11:50:51
Has somebody already made the irrational joke?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Feb 29, 2012, 11:57:11
No, go for it. ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Simon on Feb 29, 2012, 12:05:47
Does it come with custard?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Glenn on Feb 29, 2012, 12:39:47
That's Rhubarb
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Simon on Feb 29, 2012, 12:49:56
;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Feb 29, 2012, 12:52:03
I heard about this some months ago and have occasionally looked in at their website. I'm quite interested in buying one but I think it could do with a case.

They've no doubt resolved any problems found with it before going into production but I'll wait a bit longer to see if there are any updates after it's been tested in the wider community. No doubt there will be a lot of demand at the moment anyway.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Feb 29, 2012, 13:37:49

I have pre-ordered one, £25 for a new gizmo is brilliant.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: talos on Mar 01, 2012, 07:34:33
Looks like the sort of thing Clive Sinclair would have built
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Mar 01, 2012, 11:42:18
Quote from: talos on Mar 01, 2012, 07:34:33
Looks like the sort of thing Clive Sinclair would have built

My very first computer was a Sinclair Z80 kit and if  the Pi sells as well as Sinclair's Spectrum did, Raspberry will be delighted  ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Mar 01, 2012, 12:19:09
Let's hope sales don't crumble. ;D :out:
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Mar 01, 2012, 12:36:01
If it sells well, they'll have earned their crust  ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Mar 01, 2012, 12:37:08
And be able to cream off the profits. :)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Mar 01, 2012, 12:49:50
I think they could do a bit more to tart it up a bit  ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on Mar 01, 2012, 13:47:59
First batch have all gone http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/02/29/raspberrypi_mania/

I registered my interest with RS Components as would definitely like to tinker with one.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Mar 02, 2012, 07:00:03
Farnells have given me a delivery date of week commencing 23rd April for my Pi ;   no custard mentioned though.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Mar 02, 2012, 09:11:26
I'll send you a tin, Alan. ;)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: zappaDPJ on Mar 02, 2012, 12:03:44
This little device has turned out to be somewhat more than I was expecting. For example I didn't realise that it would have such a powerful graphics interface, capable of running some quite intensive PC games as well as the ability to display high density media streams. To some extent I wonder if that will detract from it's purpose, to encourage a new generation of programmers. I will almost certainly buy one myself though.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Mar 02, 2012, 12:04:43
Just one, Zap? :)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: zappaDPJ on Mar 02, 2012, 12:06:48
I'm on a diet ;)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Mar 02, 2012, 12:10:23
 ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Steve on Mar 02, 2012, 13:17:29
Certainly the OS is one I'm vaguely familiar with i.e. Fedora.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Mar 02, 2012, 15:16:29
Quote from: Steve on Mar 02, 2012, 13:17:29
Certainly the OS is one I'm vaguely familiar with i.e. Fedora.

As you would expect, software is already being tweaked for the Pi           http://elinux.org/RPi_Distributions
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Steve on Mar 02, 2012, 16:21:13
The EFIKA MX Smarttop even has a case and WiFi but costs a little more.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Technical Ben on Mar 09, 2012, 14:43:15
Brilliant case! I'd get one myself.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-case-Raspberry-Pi-Model-XXX-professional-Recyclable-/180833083409?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopComponents_RL&hash=item2a1a7de011#ht_500wt_1413
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: zappaDPJ on Mar 09, 2012, 15:08:28
It should certainly wipe away the competition ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Mar 09, 2012, 15:23:43
That looks like the bog standard version to me  ;D

It seems there's going to be a delay in supplying the Raspberry Pi (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17311146)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Mar 09, 2012, 15:29:50
Quote from: john on Mar 09, 2012, 15:23:43
That looks like the bog standard version to me  ;D

It seems there's going to be a delay in supplying the Raspberry Pi (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17311146)

So that is why I have now had my delivery date pushed back until 24th May  :bawl:
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Mar 09, 2012, 15:36:42
I expected that there would be delays due to the demand and also that there may be some minor issues with the software but I'm surprised that there is a mistake with the correct type of connector even though they appear similar.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Technical Ben on Mar 09, 2012, 18:24:57
It's down to the manufacturers apparently. I've always heard rumours that some outsourced manufactures like to cut corners and home no one notices. Turns out it might be true.

Just imagine the conversation. The manufacturer says "They've asked for those expensive sockets. Can we not just use the cheap ones we use for laptops instead?"
Then the designer gets on the phone "you do realise the expensive ones have the parts WE NEED in them? This thing is NOT a laptop."  :slap:
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Mar 09, 2012, 19:54:26
If they're outsourcing production then I can't see that it's in the manufacturers interest to deliberately use the wrong specification of connector because even if it did work Raspberry Pi could insist that they re-work them to replace them with the correct ones which would probably cost them a lot more than they could hope to gain and hardly worth the risk. I would not expect there'd be a great difference in the cost of the sockets anyway and they'd have to make a lot of Raspberry Pi's to make it worth their while but this would also increase the cost of having to re-work them if found out.


Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Lance on Apr 15, 2012, 11:19:51
Looks like these are about to ship.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17703852
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Apr 27, 2012, 13:08:10
Farnell have now given me a confirmed delivery date of 21st May  :clap1:
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Simon on Apr 27, 2012, 13:15:30
:woot:
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2012, 13:41:43
Ah, but which year, Alan? ;)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Apr 27, 2012, 18:06:59
I registered interest in it a couple of weeks ago but have only received a confirmation reply. I expect it will be a few months yet before they have satisfied their existing demand.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Apr 27, 2012, 19:34:54
Just saw this on the BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17857189)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on Apr 27, 2012, 20:15:50

People are already thinking outside the box for the Pi.

My main interest is radio controlled models and the Pi's 10pin GPOI, small size and low power consumption offers an extremely cheap way of managing extra functions.

Although it is intended for children, I have no doubt it will prove to be widely used by all sorts of hobbyists, it is a game changer and  will sell in the millions once amateur designed addons hit the market.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on Apr 27, 2012, 20:45:58
I can't wait to get my hands on one of these! *grins like an eight year old on Christmas day

Going to see how well it might perform as a small low traffic web server.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on Apr 27, 2012, 21:05:59
Quote from: kinmel on Apr 27, 2012, 20:15:50
People are already thinking outside the box for the Pi.


I think you're right, there'll be lots of different apps and hardware add-ons marketed as being suitable and it may become quite ubiquitous if it remains cheap enough. I just hope they don't increase the price significantly like they did with the BBC micro when they realised that they could due to the demand.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Technical Ben on Apr 27, 2012, 21:25:45
Quote from: pctech on Apr 27, 2012, 20:45:58
I can't wait to get my hands on one of these! *grins like an eight year old on Christmas day

Going to see how well it might perform as a small low traffic web server.



Someone got Quake 3 running on it. So it's not too shabby for £20!!!  :o
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on Apr 28, 2012, 09:33:06
It still amazes me how, over the 22 years or so I've been really interested in computers, the power of CPUs has increased so much.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Apr 28, 2012, 09:41:04
It would be nice to be able to visit in a 100 years, just to see what happened next. :)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Glenn on Apr 28, 2012, 09:45:16
Go back 100 years and you have this http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth969/m1/1/
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Apr 28, 2012, 09:48:15
I used something similar when I first started work. :)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on Apr 28, 2012, 09:59:09
It'll be interesting to see what they do with graphene.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Simon on Apr 28, 2012, 10:39:32
Quote from: Rik on Apr 28, 2012, 09:41:04
It would be nice to be able to visit in a 100 years, just to see what happened next. :)

You mean, you won't be here?  Pessimist!  ;)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on Apr 28, 2012, 10:47:08
Rik will still be here, he'll be a rogue segment of code in the Google cloud, a ghost in the machine
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Rik on Apr 28, 2012, 11:10:10
No, my super-hero powers are needed elsewhere... ;D
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on May 18, 2012, 16:20:26
RS Components have taken my money for the Pi, so the long promised delivery date will be about right.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Steve on May 18, 2012, 16:47:35
I wonder if it will run Windows 8 eventually. (ARM version obviously)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on May 18, 2012, 18:26:50
For that to happen Microsoft would either have to open source Windows RT (never gonna happen) or make an image available for purchase and download (or maybe supplied on DVD but that method of distribution will fall out of favour with MS I reckon shortly)

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on May 18, 2012, 20:23:05
Quote from: Steve on May 18, 2012, 16:47:35
I wonder if it will run Windows 8 eventually. (ARM version obviously)

Someone has win7 running on a Pi inside a Citrix XenDesktop.       R.P.F.'s Liz Upton reckons companies could run a bunch of instances of Windows on a server, push the displays out to many Raspberry Pis, and you've got a cheap way of getting Windows onto desks at work, without having to fork out for a full-cost PC.

I still reckon the Pi is a game changer.

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/from-both-sides-10005031/raspberry-pi-could-bring-cheap-windows-to-companies-10026180/
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: Technical Ben on May 19, 2012, 14:50:38
It's also a contender for a DIY or Opensource "Virtual Desktop" system as you said. We have seen the launch of Onlive, which is a video game streaming service that uses a "dumb terminal" for the video receiver. The same could be done with the Pi. At the cheap costs, Onlive were giving out their hardware for free.

I wonder if even Google would want to add their Chrome browser/OS to it?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on May 19, 2012, 15:23:31
Onlive also offer a virtual desktop service as do the likes of Nasstar
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: john on May 24, 2012, 12:21:32
Looks like the Raspberry PI might have some competition (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18163419)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on May 25, 2012, 13:42:35


My Raspberry Pi arrived from Farnells today.

It is the exact size of a credit card as promised and setting it up took just a few minutes.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on May 25, 2012, 14:51:17
So have you done any browsing on it?

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: kinmel on May 25, 2012, 16:22:44
Quote from: pctech on May 25, 2012, 14:51:17
So have you done any browsing on it?

My post was from the Raspberry Pi. The Debian O.S. has been configured for this machine and comes with a browser, media player and office suite installed.

There is a full 1080P HDMI output, which looks rather good on the big LED TV

I have found it runs better without custard.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi
Post by: pctech on May 25, 2012, 16:37:31
Nice.

Might get my media centre PC after all.

;D