BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

I have a good friend who is both a graphic designer and a computer coder—front and back door. She also prepares for the future, shall we say, so that she can survive. She shared something called Raspberry Pi with me. Basically, you can put everything in this way, so that even if something happens, you will have all your important documents—a mini-computer. I haven't purchased it yet, but I intend to.

There is tons of information about it online, so I won't bother listing any resources beyond the main one. I thought I would share this with the group as it might be something to consider. It's very inexpensive.

Main site: raspberrypi.com

Hope it helps.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Good info, Barb. Hoping for the best is not a good plan.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks glad you thought so. I agree. We have a lot of head in the sand syndrome these days!

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Raspberry Pi is a very good solution for single-purpose computing. One of our techs built one for a demonstration of our software product using an ID card scanner to look up the person's identity and if confirmed, would open a door.

Not very complex, but it made a workable demonstration of several technologies centering around identity management. Raspberry Pi computers are very small and often run a form of Linux. Great for hobbyists wanting to learn more, or for dedicated, specific purposes.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks, more good information. As a techie, my friend who as I said is a coder, has it in the event I believe if things go south.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Here's a little more information (with pictures) for those interested. A modest knowledge of computer technology helps, but Raspberry Pi (RP) has documentation that doesn't assume a PhD in computer science.

This is the latest iteration (generation) of the RP, the 5. As you can see, the basic hardware is really just a circuit board. It includes the necessary components to be considered a computer: 4GB RAM, an ARM Cortex A76 quad core processor and the I/O circuits to plug in a keyboard, etc.



All this goodness will set you back a whopping $59.99 US. If you don't want to assemble a box like a set of Legos, you can buy a "starter pack" for about $99.



There is even a Raspberry Pi computer contained with a keyboard, requiring only a monitor (and cable). It consists of Raspbery Pi 400 with 4GB Ram, Micro SD Card Slot, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port (power is needed for USB C). The cost? About $69.99



I'm reminded somewhat of the ancient Timex-Sinclair T1000 (I had one) microcomputer. You could only program BASIC, save to cassette tape, and connect to a TV.

For the money, anyone not sure if they're into computers, it's a pretty nifty way to get introduced.

JBRIII

This was started in UK? to provide an inexpensive means to get computer tech to kids. There are several telescope instrumentation packages which now use it and probably many of the small, automated scopes coming out. It can not only serve as a computer, but has pins already there to interface to leds, sensors ( gas, light, temp, humidity, sound, etc.) for learning and for building inexpensive computers weather stations, mount controls, etc. No need for a separate interface board to attach to your PC or laptop to connect to the world. Models from from tiny to #5 ver. and cost from a few dollars to $100?

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Well, this got lots of discussion and good information. Thanks!

Dean37 Loc: Fresno, CA

I have been using LINUX, for the past 20+ years. When Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP, I went to Linux. I like to compare the use of Linux to Windows XP. My latest 2 Laptops have Widows10 & Windows11 on them, but I installed Ubuntu Linux version 20-04 as it is a Long Term distribution. The beauty of Linux is, it is FREE, as in just download it ad install it. For those who use Microsoft Office, There is a Free office, Libre Office which will open, work with and save Microsoft Office files. There are versions of Libre Office that work in Windows and Apple and they too are FREE. If you were not aware of this, Microsoft Windows and the latest Apple OS are now based in Linux as are most servers that are in use, because it is a superior system.