6 ms·

This is seriously impressive. While the Raspberry Pi is not the perfect hacker-friendly computer, it has done a lot of good. Some reasons off the top of my hea

by maheart 11y ago

This is seriously impressive. While the Raspberry Pi is not the perfect hacker-friendly computer, it has done a lot of good. Some reasons off the top of my head: 1. Providing a low cost computer has given many people access to computers. Giving more people access to the web, email, an office suit, a programming environment AND giving people the ability of safely tinker without the fear of bricking an expensive device. 2. Introduced many different types of people to the FOSS landscape of powerful tools (e.g. distros such as Debian, tools such as Python). 3. The Raspberry Pi foundation has paid developers to write/optimise FOSS (e.g. paid Collabora to optimise WebkitGTK+ -- I think some Wayland work was also done). 4. Built on top of existing FOSS tools (e.g. building Raspbian on top of Debian), instead of doing everything on their own in a proprietary fashion. This has no doubt also helped to introduce new people into these communities. This is a really good counter-point to all the "locked down" (hacker unfriendly) devices like smart phones and tablets.

grp 11y ago
Are you sure about 1? Where are the maths please? In my little circle, the only people who have raspberry already have awesome computers and co. Curious about that.
- joosters 11y ago
  How many people are there in your circle who want a computer but don't have one? Perhaps your crowd aren't the target for point 1.
  - grp 11y ago
    Oh, yep sure! And the visible facts are? (really, no needs to downvote me. I would love to see this thruth, just sceptical)
    - Mchl 11y ago
      Here are some articles in this subject: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/tag/developing-world/ https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/tag/developing-world/ Not saying it proves or disproves anything. I'm also interested in this aspect of cheap-o-computing
- darkr 11y ago
  Personally, I am very much in need of an office suit.
makomk 11y ago
This is probably the result of boards like the $9 C.H.I.P. stealing their thunder a little. (Which should actually be able to run Debian, unlike the Pi - Debian Jessie has built-in support for that generation of Allwinner chips.) The Pi has not actually been all that cheap lately compared to the competition. There's no reason they couldn't have done this years ago; like that Allwinner chip, the BCM2835 is an old, slow processor whose R&D costs were probably paid back long ago that they wouldn't otherwise be able to sell. This is especially true of the BCM2835, which is an ARM11 chip that's not widely supported outside the RPi ecosystem.
- Natanael_L 11y ago
  This could even act as a custom chromecast-ish device. Still cheaper too! (Although it lacks WiFi AC that the new chromecast has, and probably way weaker graphics, but a cheap WiFi adapter or ethernet and having most stuff streamed should be workable.)
  - creshal 11y ago
    > (Although it lacks WiFi AC that the new chromecast has, and probably way weaker graphics, but a cheap WiFi adapter or ethernet and having most stuff streamed should be workable.) This irks me a bit with the new "$5" RPi. Yes, it's $5… For a device without a power cord, without networking, and where you need adapters (and/or solder on a UART) to plug anything into it.
    - andrepd 11y ago
      So... you will need to buy a power adapter and an Ethernet cable? That will come to, what, another fiver?
      - vive-la-liberte 11y ago
        Not just an ethernet cable, I think. From the images it looks like there's no Ethernet port on the RPi Zero.
kbart 11y ago
"1. Providing a low cost computer has given many people access to computers. Giving more people access to the web, email, an office suit, a programming environment AND giving people the ability of safely tinker without the fear of bricking an expensive device." I seriously doubt about your first point. Adding the cost of accessories (mouse, keyboard, screen) and a shipping cost, Raspberry Pi costs the same as a decent, used laptop that can be used to install a full Linux distro. Even getting Raspberry Pi Zero with essential kit (cabels + the smallest SD card) to my country rises its costs to 20£, add the cost of accessories, and you can get another working used laptop (and as a bonus Ethernet/WiFi connection which RPi Zero lacks). Don't get me wrong, Raspberry Pi is great for tinkering and home projects, I have much respect for what they are doing, but getting "computer to every home" is not it's strongest point.
- neltnerb 11y ago
  It seems awfully silly to argue that it costs the same once you add in the price of a retail monitor. You're just saying that the price of the computer is negligible to the setup. They don't manufacture the peripherals, it's weird to blame them for not magically also dropping the price of those other things that they don't make or sell. Besides, it's pretty easy to get free mouse/keyboard/screen via donations from companies or individuals who upgrade if you're that worried about cost.
OJFord 11y ago
To add a fifth point if I may - it was also rocket fuel for getting CS into the (what most here will call 'K12') curriculum. When I (only ~5 years ago) took GCSE (last compulsory qualification) 'IT' - even though it was the slightly different course for 'more able' pupils - we were learning how to make Flash animations, use MS Office, Windows Movie Maker, and sorry things like that. Forget "fifth point" - I think it's impact on schools is #1.
- nsgi 11y ago
  Pre-GCSE was even worse. Taking screenshots of each step of copying a folder to show that we knew how to do it.
theinternetman 11y ago
> I think some Wayland work was also done Done then abandoned. Doesn't work with their currently shipping hardware/OS.
dheera 11y ago
Definitely an impressive feat. I really, really, really wish it had on-board Wi-Fi though. At least that would make it a useful web server. The way it's designed now, it's kind of unusable for anything useful without making it a 3X larger package. Add a Wi-Fi dongle and the converter from regular to micro-USB is about the size of the board itself. And since it only has 1 USB port, you'll need a full-blown hub to connect any other stuff like sensors, keyboards, or whatnot.
- franciscop 11y ago
  For one I'm glad it doesn't have wifi since that'd add on size and cost. I hope that the ecosystem takes off and shields get created like wifi, bluetooth, gsm, etc. That would be really useful and give everyone flexibility. From the differences amongst the Arduino, I see the hdmi as a necessary evil. Otherwise it'd be too cumbersome to debug.
- betandr 11y ago
  I totally agree. One of the reasons I've started using an Onion Omega is because of this reason. IoT is pointless if you can't connect to the I easily, IMHO.
  - dheera 11y ago
    Yeah, I played with an Onion Omega for a while. The downside to it is the horribly limiting 16MB flash (with 64MB RAM, WTF?). When I first read it, I thought it was 16GB and a typo. (We have 128GB micro-SD cards already, and all they could put was 16MB onto it?) That's where the Pi excels since it has a micro-SD slot (and a much faster CPU of course). But then, no Wi-Fi ...
    - mrob 11y ago
      Not all flash is equal. If it's 16MB of fast NOR flash for direct code execution then it's not so bad.
aaggarwal 11y ago
This is so cool, it's even cheaper than an Arduino. This could turn into a standard embedded development, OS development and learning board for every enthusiast and students. The cost makes it a great choice for students with less resources. This is easily my pocket pc now.

by maheart 11y ago

grp 11y ago

Are you sure about 1? Where are the maths please? In my little circle, the only people who have raspberry already have awesome computers and co. Curious about that.

joosters 11y ago
How many people are there in your circle who want a computer but don't have one? Perhaps your crowd aren't the target for point 1.
- grp 11y ago
  Oh, yep sure! And the visible facts are? (really, no needs to downvote me. I would love to see this thruth, just sceptical)
  - Mchl 11y ago
    Here are some articles in this subject: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/tag/developing-world/ https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/tag/developing-world/ Not saying it proves or disproves anything. I'm also interested in this aspect of cheap-o-computing
darkr 11y ago
Personally, I am very much in need of an office suit.

makomk 11y ago

This is probably the result of boards like the $9 C.H.I.P. stealing their thunder a little. (Which should actually be able to run Debian, unlike the Pi - Debian Jessie has built-in support for that generation of Allwinner chips.) The Pi has not actually been all that cheap lately compared to the competition. There's no reason they couldn't have done this years ago; like that Allwinner chip, the BCM2835 is an old, slow processor whose R&D costs were probably paid back long ago that they wouldn't otherwise be able to sell. This is especially true of the BCM2835, which is an ARM11 chip that's not widely supported outside the RPi ecosystem.

Natanael_L 11y ago
This could even act as a custom chromecast-ish device. Still cheaper too! (Although it lacks WiFi AC that the new chromecast has, and probably way weaker graphics, but a cheap WiFi adapter or ethernet and having most stuff streamed should be workable.)
- creshal 11y ago
  > (Although it lacks WiFi AC that the new chromecast has, and probably way weaker graphics, but a cheap WiFi adapter or ethernet and having most stuff streamed should be workable.) This irks me a bit with the new "$5" RPi. Yes, it's $5… For a device without a power cord, without networking, and where you need adapters (and/or solder on a UART) to plug anything into it.
  - andrepd 11y ago
    So... you will need to buy a power adapter and an Ethernet cable? That will come to, what, another fiver?
    - vive-la-liberte 11y ago
      Not just an ethernet cable, I think. From the images it looks like there's no Ethernet port on the RPi Zero.

kbart 11y ago

"1. Providing a low cost computer has given many people access to computers. Giving more people access to the web, email, an office suit, a programming environment AND giving people the ability of safely tinker without the fear of bricking an expensive device." I seriously doubt about your first point. Adding the cost of accessories (mouse, keyboard, screen) and a shipping cost, Raspberry Pi costs the same as a decent, used laptop that can be used to install a full Linux distro. Even getting Raspberry Pi Zero with essential kit (cabels + the smallest SD card) to my country rises its costs to 20£, add the cost of accessories, and you can get another working used laptop (and as a bonus Ethernet/WiFi connection which RPi Zero lacks). Don't get me wrong, Raspberry Pi is great for tinkering and home projects, I have much respect for what they are doing, but getting "computer to every home" is not it's strongest point.

neltnerb 11y ago
It seems awfully silly to argue that it costs the same once you add in the price of a retail monitor. You're just saying that the price of the computer is negligible to the setup. They don't manufacture the peripherals, it's weird to blame them for not magically also dropping the price of those other things that they don't make or sell. Besides, it's pretty easy to get free mouse/keyboard/screen via donations from companies or individuals who upgrade if you're that worried about cost.

OJFord 11y ago

To add a fifth point if I may - it was also rocket fuel for getting CS into the (what most here will call 'K12') curriculum. When I (only ~5 years ago) took GCSE (last compulsory qualification) 'IT' - even though it was the slightly different course for 'more able' pupils - we were learning how to make Flash animations, use MS Office, Windows Movie Maker, and sorry things like that. Forget "fifth point" - I think it's impact on schools is #1.

nsgi 11y ago
Pre-GCSE was even worse. Taking screenshots of each step of copying a folder to show that we knew how to do it.

theinternetman 11y ago

> I think some Wayland work was also done Done then abandoned. Doesn't work with their currently shipping hardware/OS.

dheera 11y ago

Definitely an impressive feat. I really, really, really wish it had on-board Wi-Fi though. At least that would make it a useful web server. The way it's designed now, it's kind of unusable for anything useful without making it a 3X larger package. Add a Wi-Fi dongle and the converter from regular to micro-USB is about the size of the board itself. And since it only has 1 USB port, you'll need a full-blown hub to connect any other stuff like sensors, keyboards, or whatnot.

franciscop 11y ago
For one I'm glad it doesn't have wifi since that'd add on size and cost. I hope that the ecosystem takes off and shields get created like wifi, bluetooth, gsm, etc. That would be really useful and give everyone flexibility. From the differences amongst the Arduino, I see the hdmi as a necessary evil. Otherwise it'd be too cumbersome to debug.
betandr 11y ago
I totally agree. One of the reasons I've started using an Onion Omega is because of this reason. IoT is pointless if you can't connect to the I easily, IMHO.
- dheera 11y ago
  Yeah, I played with an Onion Omega for a while. The downside to it is the horribly limiting 16MB flash (with 64MB RAM, WTF?). When I first read it, I thought it was 16GB and a typo. (We have 128GB micro-SD cards already, and all they could put was 16MB onto it?) That's where the Pi excels since it has a micro-SD slot (and a much faster CPU of course). But then, no Wi-Fi ...
  - mrob 11y ago
    Not all flash is equal. If it's 16MB of fast NOR flash for direct code execution then it's not so bad.

aaggarwal 11y ago

This is so cool, it's even cheaper than an Arduino. This could turn into a standard embedded development, OS development and learning board for every enthusiast and students. The cost makes it a great choice for students with less resources. This is easily my pocket pc now.