first mention of twins

ill try keep this nice.

i think the whole hype about Rpi being the big bad educational tool was nothing more than a pr stunt to get it selling quick, and that is just what happened. i also remember hearing somthing about this being developed by employees of broadcom, when it was first released the soc data sheet required a nondisclosure agreement, so right out of the gate there were problems calling it open source.

i'm sorry if i dont get the idea about teaching computer science with an embeded linux board. don't comp sci cources use full-blown computers already? and if you really want to learn about how computers work, it is much better to start with an 8051 or 8088 and assembly.

but now it seems the more i read, the more i can't suggest the pi for any use other than a media center.

anyways thats my two bits on the the pi.

Fair points well made Sheldon - here in the UK I feel that issues with computer science education are far more the fault of decision makers within government and the education system than with a lack of availability of suitable hardware. Arduino is an ideal tool for getting started in programming and interfacing, for instance. It's robust, well documented, low in baggage and has been around for ages.

Perhaps if there ever is some kind of backlash against the concept of starting a charity and tossing the word "education" around simply as a sales pitch then I imagine that Broadcom might want to distance themselves from the project. However, so long as it's cheap the overwhelming majority of users probably won't trouble themselves with ethical whatnot.

Horsemeat lasagne, anyone?

I jon't want to distract from the main topic, but personally I think the govt in the UK needs to find a way to get free Internet access to kids - the ongoing monthly cost is not affordable by many parents, whereas saving up £50-£100 or so for an old laptop is feasible. It's pretty hard to learn any language (or indeed many subjects, since libraries are closing) without the communities and knowledge bases available online. If the RPI team were to help get pressure to find a way to have some level of free internet (e.g. mandate councils to provide WiFi access - since many are stockpiling cash) to families, then that would be something positive they could do for education, without creating any hardware.

I jon't want to distract from the main topic, but personally I think the govt in the UK needs to find a way to get free Internet access to kids - the ongoing monthly cost is not affordable by many parents, whereas saving up £50-£100 or so for an old laptop is feasible. It's pretty hard to learn any language (or indeed many subjects, since libraries are closing) without the communities and knowledge bases available online. If the RPI team were to help get pressure to find a way to have some level of free internet (e.g. mandate councils to provide WiFi access - since many are stockpiling cash) to families, then that would be something positive they could do for education, without creating any hardware.