Raspberry Pi Forums

It's my opinion that we need beginners to keep the people writing help honest - to say whan steps have been skipped and so on.

So I suggest that you get started and have a go. Ask questions, that's how the experts will find out what's not clear.

All I ask is that you do some research.  Look for answers before asking questions.  I think the duffers will do this.

Better drowned than duffers if not duffers won't drown.

Is anybody willing to host a website specially for the "old duffers" users of the Raspberry Pi?

We are already seeing specialist websites popping up for other groups.

bredman said:


Is anybody willing to host a website specially for the "old duffers" users of the Raspberry Pi?

We are already seeing specialist websites popping up for other groups.



I run a small hosting/internet company, so I could certianly host it, (but not provide content!) however I fear that you might be in danger of causing a "dilution" of avalable resources as everone will have to (if they want to) follow every site out there. I've seen this happen with other resources in the past - with the result that I feel the "communuty" as a whole lost out. (Scuba diving which is a great passion of mine for example - try googling for UK scuba boards/lists/sites, etc. 1000s )-:

I'd hold-out until the new forums here are up and running and see what happens then.

But don't forget - the RPi is just another Linux box, and there is a wealth of other Linux information out there including "Live" CDs to play with without upsetting an existing PCs installation (of Windows, etc.)

Gordon

Local LUG : translation -- local Linux User Group-- ... Gotcha!.. Googled... Bingo! ... Found a group not too far away that sound very welcoming... Thank you Gordon

poing said:

If you look at this link: http://www.debian.org/CD/live/ you can download a so-called 'Live CD'-file of Debian Linux. This file is burned to a CD or DVD and once completed makes it possible to run Linux from the CD
Ok we need to be pro-active in trying things, and playing with debian prior to getting a Pi sounds logical. So I followed the yellow brick road ...

But what to do when I get to the debian web site? First of all, as a complete beginner, I'm invited to use Bit Torrent which has a ngative image (Piracy, virus laden S/W etc.).And then i need to know that i386 is the generic architecture of processors that run 32 bit versions of Windows. (I'm bound to be a windows user if I'm after a live CD for LINUX aren't I).

One new thing at a time I think,so I ignore this Torrent request. Being uncertain what to do next I click on one of the i386 links which takes me to a list of files headed: Index of /debian-cd/current-live/i386/iso-hybrid. There I see a list of 29 files but no indication of what to do next. So, back whence I came and I see the magic words FAQ.

This leads me to a list of information, in no particular order, that includes the following: Which of the numerous images should I download? Do I need all of them?. Just what I need, thinks I. This is what it said:


No. First, of course you only need to download either CD or DVD images - the two types of images contain the same packages.

Also, you only need the CD/DVD images for your computer's architecture. The architecture is the type of hardware your computer uses. By far the most popular one is the Intel/AMD architecture, so most people will only want to get the images for i386. If your PC has a 64-bit AMD or Intel processor, you will most likely need the amd64 images (though i386 is also fine), the ia64 images will not work.

Furthermore, in most cases it is not necessary to download all of the images for your architecture. The packages are sorted by popularity: The first CD/DVD contains the installation system and the most popular packages. The second one contains slightly less popular ones, the third one even less popular ones, etc. You will probably only need the first DVD (or the first two CDs) unless you have very special requirements. (And in case you happen to need a package later on which is not on one of the CDs/DVDs you downloaded, you can always install that package directly from the Internet.)

Please also read the next paragraphs to determine whether you want/need to download network install CDs, update CDs or source CDs.


Now this may help someone somewhere, but I remain totally confused. I did read on but most of the other FAs have equally vague answers. This may help experts but not Nursery School users like me. So can anyone answer:


What do I download? (filename, path, and website)
How do I download it?
How do I put it on a SD card or USB stick?
How do I start it up?
Then how do I use it?

Roll on the Nursery Manual, written in standard english, with good logical organisation and realistic practical examples.

Check out http://www.udacity.com they have a python programming starters course (cs101) which is a lot of fun and FREE. Online video's homework and final.

It looks very interesting and you can browse a thing called Wiki which contains much of the (possibly summarised) course material. It could even save you from having to sign up! The site hosts some other intersting stuff too.

I'm curious to know how it became known as a Python course when it's described as "Building a Search engine" - its a great practical excercise but that isnt the main objective surely?

paulemm said:


But what to do when I get to the debian web site?


I had a look at the Debian download site. Even with my 10+ years of Linux experience, I couldn't find a simple single download link.

As a beginner, I would recommend Ubuntu. It is Debian wrapped in pretty clothes. It is available from http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop and the download page should hold your hand along the journey.

Once you have Ubuntu running, you can get to the Debian command line as follows...

1. Press the windows key at the bottom-left of your keyboard (normally between Ctrl and Alt.

2. Type the word terminal

3. Click on the terminal icon that appears.

Good luck

bredman said:


paulemm said:


But what to do when I get to the debian web site?


I had a look at the Debian download site. Even with my 10+ years of Linux experience, I couldn't find a simple single download link.


Being a Linux newbie myself (although plenty of DOS/Windows experience) I started to write a 'nursery manual' on how to get a Debian LiveCD working. And yes, admittedly, I got stuck on the website while not even approaching the more hazardous BIOS pitfall.

So I think some nursery manuals are in order...

That Ubuntu suggestion was a good one, saved by the bell

5+3=8, I think...

GrandyJ said:


Hello ,
I must say this whole concept is pure magic !
One request:
Is there a Boffin or youngster out there that would write a REAL beginners manual ?A beginners manual for Seniors....
I have ordered my Pi and can not wait to have a go... To get a head start I clicked on the Beginners tab .... might as well be Greek !!!! Next stop my local Library I think....
Perhaps you are all assuming too much.... Some of us are quite bright and very keen but will need to start at the Nursery level
Thanx in advance, GrandyJ



This is a great idea Grandy, it would be a fantastic help to us old duffers everywhere who are really keen to learn but just need kick starting from the beginning, I will be watching and searching to see if anyone finds anything for us. all the best Boshy...

bredman said:

As a beginner, I would recommend Ubuntu. It is Debian wrapped in pretty clothes. It is available from http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop and the download page should hold your hand along the journey.
Once you have Ubuntu running, you can get to the Debian command line as follows...

1. Press the windows key at the bottom-left of your keyboard (normally between Ctrl and Alt.

2. Type the word terminal

3. Click on the terminal icon that appears.

Good luck


Thanks, I'll probably follow this one up, even though I did manage to extract an image and deflate (reinflate??) it back into my 8GB uSD card with a "proper" looking file structure. It didn't boot on a restart so I've now got to meddle with the BIOS.

Which is why I wanted a Pi in the first place - no worries about breaking a valuable posession.

poing said:


Being a Linux newbie myself (although plenty of DOS/Windows experience) I started to write a 'nursery manual' on how to get a Debian LiveCD working. And yes, admittedly, I got stuck on the website while not even approaching the more hazardous BIOS pitfall.


Such tantalising words - how far did you get? Please share the part you did do!

If there's no Baby manual (yet) the maybe our baby scribblings will help. I always thought the best lecturers were not the super qulified research whizz kids, but those who had smacked into the same barriers I had (but earlier).

So now I'll have to figure out how to do one of these 'ere "Blog" things as I cant ask others to do what I'm not prepared to do.

My wife thinks I'm Raspberry Mad ... and I think she may have a point. Now what is 2+2 =

PM

Just as an addendum try looking at posts in this forum where an "on line" magazine seems to be launching:

Home Forum Educational applications Slice of Pi – Raspberry Pi Magazine

There are also references to other LINUX distros fo virgins to the sport geared to such users.

In a way too much data, not enough good information. More choice is not really better, just more confusing?

PM

I read this thread whilst nodding enthusiastically throughout.  I agree wholeheartedly with the need for such a manual, and sympathise with those here that are desperate to learn but find the whole thing daunting.  Sadly I don't have the time to write such a thing.  However, it would be dreadfully sad if those people with the time to learn and absorb such a fascinating new technology, were to fall at the first hurdle simply because all they've ended up with it a "sparkly green circuit board with some chips 'n' things on it"...

Whilst I'm no super expert, I'm more than happy to answer any basic questions anyone that is struggling may have.

paulemm said:


Just as an addendum try looking at posts in this forum where an "on line" magazine seems to be launching:

Home Forum Educational applications Slice of Pi – Raspberry Pi Magazine


There is now a FREE on line mag called MagPI with what I, as a total beginner, have found to be really usefull and well written too. It didn't answer all my questions but it sure helped

Here's the link: http://www.themagpi.com/# : click on "download" for a pdf copy. There is a forum there too.

Paul M

I've dabbled with many things - i've been a beginner since I got my ZX Spectrum - but the fanciest my code ever got was modifying Visual Basic code for Visual Pinball.

Where I've had successes (hacking my Wii and PSP to run custom firmware, as well as my Visual Pinball experiments) was becuase there was simple, clear and logical instructions to follow.

Where I've failed has been in recent attempts to put Linux onto a netbook (managed once or twice with different distros - but this was after many attempts and hunting down different images to download) - then once I have it running, trying to turn it into a file server. Instructions are for older versions of the distro, or assume a good level of knowledge.

It is a hard thing to do - but I know, because I've found them and used them - that good instructions are out there - its finding them tht;s hard.

If i am not mistaken Rpi's are mostly for educational purposes ? Rpi cost $25 , internet cost $50-$100? desktop cost ? if only there is a reliable Nursery manual with or without net everyone can contribute in Rpi development.