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Raspberry Pi Forum Getting ready - do's and dont's
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  • Replies 11 replies
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  • raspberry_pi
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Getting ready - do's and dont's

Former Member
Former Member over 13 years ago

My first post after reading many others ...

 

This is what I have done so far in preparation for the arrival of my Raspberry Pi:

 

Found a power supply - the one that came with my now defunct HTC handset (mini USB connector, 1amp rating)

 

Found a 2Mb SD card and loaded the February image onto it using DD.

Bought a 16Mb SD card and loaded the April image onto it using DD.

Using Gparted, moved the swapspace parition to the end of the 16Mb SD card, and resized the main partition to use the rest of the 16Mb.

 

Bought a Game controller, and got that working on my desktop (Ubuntu) machine, also looked at virtual keyboards on Debian.

Bought an extra HDMI lead to get graphics on my TV.

 

Looked at the copious documentation on Python/PyGame on the internet.

 

This is what I haven't done:

 

Joined in the complaints about not knowing when my Raspberry Pi is going to arrive - there is nothing that it is going to do for me that I cannot wait for. It is not a replacement for my Laptop/Desktop machines, it is not a good platform for trying out Linux, anyone who is getting one for that reason is - I believe - going to be disappointed - it's just not big enough/fast enough to satisfy those needs, and will result in disaffection with Linux that is unwarranted. Get a LiveCD to try Linux!

Done more than laugh at the prices being asked on eBay for second hand Raspberry Pi's - they just aren't that valuable - and that is the point of them. Something to get people interested in programming, not surfing the net, watching TV, sending e-mails, composing and publishing books, articles, theses. - those that want to do these things already have suitable tools.

 

I hope most people will find them a fascinating challenge - good luck if you get to create the killer app!!!

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago

    @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

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    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.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    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.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    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.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    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!)

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  • GreenYamo
    GreenYamo over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Phil, Are you sure your HTC charger is a mini usb and not a micro ? I'm going to power mine with an HTC charger, and mine is definitely the correct type. In fact, the foundation chose this source of power supply as it was so likely people would just have them laying around.

     

    If if isn't then try Amazon for a branded charger, I wouldn't use Ebay for something like a supply as it will be so key to making sure the Pi works.

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