Getting Started

Hardware Components

_images/rpi-tech-spec.jpg

Exercise

Which components do you expect to find in the following computers:

  • desktop
  • laptop
  • mobile
  • tablet

What makes the Raspberry Pi special?

Start up

There is no power on/off button. You simply add or remove power.

After the computer is finished loading the operating system you land in the shell.

Shell welcome message:

Linux raspberrypi 3.12.22+ #691 PREEMPT Wed Jun 18 18:29:58 BST 2014 armv6l

The programs included with the Debian GNU/Linux system are free software;
the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the
individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright.

Debian GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
Last login: Tue Oct 14 18:43:45 2014 from 192.168.0.6
pi@raspberrypi ~ $

The pi@raspberrypi ~ $ is called a prompt. You type commands after the ‘$’.

System configuration raspi-config

Type:

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ startx

and you will get:

┌─────────┤ Raspberry Pi Software Configuration Tool (raspi-config) ├─────────┐
│ Setup Options                                                               │
│                                                                             │
│    1 Expand Filesystem             Ensures that all of the SD card          │
│    2 Change User Password          Change password for the default          │
│    3 Enable Boot to Desktop/ScratchChoose whether to boot into a de         │
│    4 Internationalisation Options  Set up language and regional set         │
│    5 Enable Camera                 Enable this Pi to work with the          │
│    6 Add to Rastrack               Add this Pi to the online Raspbe         │
│    7 Overclock                     Configure overclocking for your          │
│    8 Advanced Options              Configure advanced settings              │
│    9 About raspi-config            Information about this configura         │
│                                                                             │
│                                                                             │
│                    <Select>                    <Finish>                     │
│                                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Exercise

Explore the options that you have.

What are the similarities and differences with this from Mac OSX?

_images/mac-sys-prefs.png

Starting the Desktop

The shell is one interface. A graphic user interface is another.

Type this to start the GUI:

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ startx

Exercise

We are going to focus on using the shell (command line).

Find:

  • the Terminal
  • a browser
  • anything else you would typically use.

Recap

  • The Raspberry Pi is a general purpose computer.
  • However it exposes a lot that is typically hidden.
  • Use raspi-config for a convenient way to configure your computer.
  • Use startx to start the GUI

We will return to hardware later in the electronics section.