Getting ready - do's and dont's

The only thing that I would look at is a case.  As this is not necessary it just finishes off the device.  I like the cases from modmypi.com. I also laugh when I look at the prices on eBay.  I can wait to get one.  I hope people aren't thinking of using this as a main computer because like you said they are going to be disappointed.  Hope you like it when it arrives.

Disappointment doesn't stem from using it as your "main computer".  Disappointment stems from your requirements not being met by the board's capabilities.  Everybody has different requirements, and all that matters is whether they are met or not.

In fact the whole idea of "main computer" loses its meaning when computing devices have this kind of price.  You might well choose to have several Rpi, each dedicated to certain types of task, and no "main" at all.

Yeah... just checked eBay when I read your post... 3 times the price and shipping to Switzerland costs once again about 40$ in some cases.

As a realist I am not that surprised to see so many people made it into the queue to get a board before I even got a sign that Farnell indeed got my business card just to put the stuff directly to eBay without even looking into the box... but it's still mildly embarassing...

Regards

   Peter

I love Morgaine's idea and that is what i'm aiming towards - several Pi's (eventually) but in effect, the SD card is the computer, or at least the defining instrument in what the Pi becomes. I do something similar now with a desktop machine by swapping hard drives in caddies (between Linux Mint and a Vortex box server) but something the size of an SD card is a lot easier to work with :-) The Pi stuck to the back of the TV that 1 minute ago was doing media streaming duties after a quick swap becomes something I can do a bit of surfing on the TV on.

@Phill: I will take up one of your comments, I'm not moaning about the delaying of the Pi as such, or when it gets delivered, but I do think that correct and exact information isn't too much to ask for, which we've only recently been getting from Jenny, the Farnell representative that has been posting to the Pi forums. Up until that point, solid information has been a little scant.

Cool. The idea of doing one thing, but doing it well does appeal.

Will need some monitoring software, and GParted could become your friend . Finding the optimum configuration for each function will be fun - right software (thank goodness for Linux - all should be free), right swap size and so on. Good that the Pi will have a small number of variables over which you have some influence (add to the above list the SD speed). Would be happy to try any if you need help!

Noticed that Midori blew up on my Debian installation on my laptop!

Lets keep the cup half full folks.

@Steve. I often wonder what people do with the information they are asking for about batch sizes, arrival schedules and so on - they can't do much about it!

Phill, I'll be honest and say I'm not bothered about batch sizes, arrival schedules etc, as long as I feel I am getting *facts*, not supposition. Classic case of this recently is when I was asking about the 8,000 Pi's that were missing out of the original 10,000. The answer from Liz on the Pi forums is that they were en-route and should be here Wednesday of this week. It was only when I queried this and pointed out the post from Jenny talking about the 8,000 being delivered in early May (Following a number of posts here between Coder and Morgaine) did I get any sort of alternative comment ('eh, we're not sure who is right') and Jenny has since confirmed her version of the story is correct. (Also interesting as she has stated they were made under the ownership of Farnell, not the Foundation). When I pointed this out *again* I was told that Liz was in fact correct, and I had to make reference to her original post, stating this week for arrival, before I got, 'oh yes, she did quote a timeframe didn't she.'

I'm not interested in collecting order reference numbers, waving a rabbit's foot in the air or doing anything else like that, but I do like to feel I am making informed decisions, based on actual information. I don't think that is too much to ask.

Jenny obviously knows what she is talking about, so I'm happy to sit back until May or whenever, but as a customer (yes, I know they are a charity, but I'm still a customer) I don't expect such slipshod information.

@PhillPi , Note that you need a micro USB power connector, not a mini USB one. There are pics on the official RPi forums -> General Discussion -> Pictorial Buying Guide

http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/general-discussion/pictorial-buying-guide

Thanks cakiwi,

I need to get a micro USB power connector! Few more pence and hours on e-bay or elsewhere!

I thought I'd got a micro/mini USB cable with my Wii charger, but that just arrived and it's tiny round one! The Raspberry pi would make the basis of a very neat Interactive Whiteboard using a Wii, perhaps all taped to the top of an overhead projector? So I'm planning on trying that too.

Be aware that the very cheapest (Ebay, etc.) USB power supply is likely not the best choice. These have been known to not actually produce the current shown on the label. Most people buy these to charge their cell phones, and many phones can work with a poor-quality, weak supply; it just draws less current and charges more slowly. Sellers and buyers may not even realize it isn't performing to spec. But if the voltage drops under load on your RasPi, it will not work properly.

Yeah,

already noticed that the descriptions don't seem to include any voltage/ampage or other essential information! Will have to shop carefully, sensibly and so on. (Why can't life be just FUN!)