Subj : Bluetooth Keyboard To : Ky Moffet From : Barry Martin Date : Fri Sep 13 2024 09:07:00 Hi Ky! > KM> Explaining Computers demo'd one yesterday, different brand, > KM> that's a complete unit for about $50 -- comes with a case and > KM> heatsink, so you don't have to piddle around looking for what > KM> matches. Not real high powered, but good enough for a lightweight > KM> linux (Ubuntu was a bit much for it). > Canakit, Vilros, GeeekPi and a few others provide kits. For a beginner KM> Yep, but this wasn't a kit, it's all assembled and ready to use. KM> All you need do is plug it in pick the OS to install at first KM> boot (it has 'em stored in ROM, apparently). Almost sounds like an updated version of the NOOB sd card. (L-o-n-g time ago so not recalling details; think it had an option screen at initial setup.) KM> They also make a mini screen with a mount for the unit. I've seen the option or something similar. A tiny screen could be handy to monitor voltage, memory, temperature functions and the like (I'm thinking something like a 2" screen). The other day I set up a Pi using a 12" screen -- basic setup not bad but past that with stuff like raspi-config -- ergh! > I'd suggest going with a Raspberry Pi Foundation approved supplier. KM> Oh, if you're doing a lot with it, yes. But the point here was KM> ready to use out of the box, which I don't recall any others KM> doing. For people who just want it to do something like your KM> MythTV controller without having to assemble hardware, much KM> easier than having to puzzle it together first. True. I have to remember I'm used to electronics, having started mid-elementary school. > Probably nothing wrong with the 'non-approved' vendors. I fixate a > little on power supplies but had purchased a couple of wall warts where KM> Some are fine, I'm sure some are crap just like everything else. KM> But right now they're all trying to grow the single-board KM> computer market, so there seems to be a lot of positive effort. The single-board/micro-computer market has taken off! It's kind of funny how big corporate has embraced what started off as a "kids toy" to get children interested in programming. > the advertising blurb said specifically will work with Raspberry Pi > (back then the version 3). Power supply mostly worked -- sometimes the KM> Anything that's 5V should work, including plugging into random KM> USB port (tho older ports may not deliver enough amperage). They preferred using the power port as it was protected by a polyfuse (would reset itself) where the USB ports were not protected. (Voltage would be fine, it's an over-current condition, like any fuse/circuit breaker.) ...Undervoltage will cause throttling; overheating will cause capping -- and eventually melting the polyfuse like what happened with the two Pi's I had in the Storage Area in summer! > And yes, there are other microcomputer boards out there, some possibly > better than the Pi. I like the Pi, and by sticking with it get more > familiar with it. Plus if something goes wrong can swap out the card, > the unit, etc., with 'in-stock' spares. KM> Chris (ExplaingComputers) has at least a dozen brands and KM> probably 50 different models. Yep, there are some higher-powered KM> and significantly more competent than a Pi, but they cost more KM> too, to the point that if you're using it as an everyday PC, by KM> then you might as well get an Intel micro-PC. OTOH the SBCs all KM> have the GPIO functions no PC does, which caters to the maker and KM> appliance market. You could use one to build a surveillance KM> camera network at a fraction of the commerical price. Right. The Pi isn't for everything. LISB4, I'm sticking with the Pi because more or less interchangeable. KM> Chris shows how (including the control code) to build stuff like KM> a weather station and a simple robot using even the $15 Pi Zero, KM> which has all the brains of a paperclip. Are you referring to Clippy??!! https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2022/08/origin-story-of-cl ippy-the-microsoft-office-assistant For some projects one doens't need much. I have Pi3 running X10, and old protocol for controlling lights, etc. Most of the time it just sits there, waiting patiently: is it 07:00 yet? Nope. Is it 7:00 yet? Nope. Is it 7:00 yet? Yes -- Yay! Send control data to the interface. Yes, the Pi 3 is bored out of it's skull; the Pico would be better suited (and stil yawning it's processor off!) but I had a spare Pi3, so no money spent. KM> Glah, I just drowned my mouse in tea, tho it doesn't seem to KM> mind... maybe it can swim.... I was thinking dunking the mouse IN the tea mug -- I'd be impressed at that trick!! ¯ ® ¯ BarryMartin3@MyMetronet.NET ® ¯ ® .... I visited a new tea shop; I couldn't believe the steep prices. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .