Raspberry Pi - Getting Started

Getting Started With Raspberry Pi

Wednesday, September 27th, 7PM, Dallas Makerspace
Getting Started With Raspberry Pi

What is a Raspberry Pi?
(RaspberryPi.org's definition)
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.
It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python.

What is a Raspberry Pi 3?
Raspberry Pi 3
(RaspberryPi.org's definition)
The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third-generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.
Quad Core 1.2GHz Broadcom BCM2837 64bit CPU.
1GB RAM
BCM43438 wireless LAN and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on board.

Let's get started...

Preparing the uSD card

  1. Download uSD card image
    Although there are multiple images available I recommend the full desktop Raspbian image: Full Raspbian Image
    If you're familiar with Bit Torrent, use the torrent link, else, download the ZIP file. The ZIP file will be around 2GB in size, and will take some time to download.

  2. Uncompress the image
    Using Winzip, 7-Zip or other tool, extract the enclosed img file. The resulting img file will be around 4GB in size.
    See RaspberryPi's Installation Guide

  3. Mount uSD card
    Using a uSD card adapter to read/write the SD card from your host computer, plug the card into your host computer and record the new drive that gets added. Don't get confused at this step!!! Proceeding has the potential of erasing your computer's hard drive!

  4. Write the uSD card image
    Using an image writing tool, such as Etcher, or Win32DiskImager locate the img file, and have the tool write it to the empty uSD card drive recorded in step 3. This will take a while as the 4GB image is written to the uSD card.


Configuring the Raspberry Pi for US Standards, timezone
How to Add / Remove Software (Install the Arduino IDE)
Geany
Python IDE
Enable and Using VNC
Using the serial port to access a command console (using an FTDI cable)

A note concerning USB power supplies for the Raspberry Pi:
Often, with many of the cheap power supplies, along with the cable used, there's a problem with voltage drop from the power supply to the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi will display a yellow lightning bolt in the upper right corner of a connected HDMI screen, indicating an under voltage condition. Using a good quality 5.1V, 2.5A or 3.0A USB power supply will prevent this issue.

E-mail me: jim@merkles.com.