Noob questions...

[mrcaptain]

So, I've obviously read and heard about the RPi, and I want one.
I have only recently got into coding, and still use Windows (instead of a Linux distro) on my computers.
I was going to switch to Ubuntu, as that seemed the best one for me. However, after reading ( not sure whether true or not) that the RPi uses Fedora, I was wondering if I should maybe get some books on that, and stop reading my Ubuntu ones?

Is there only one model of the Pi now? I read there were cheap models, and a more expensive one, but I can only see the one model on the Farnell website.

Lastly, for now, is there any point in me getting a Pi with no coding experience yet?

Thanks for any replies and help

[W. H. Heydt]

Right now...only one model is available, the Model B, with 2 USB ports and an RJ-45 Ethernet jack. Some time this Fall, the Model A (one USB port, no Ethernet port) should be available. *However*, in order to make much use of a Model A, I would expect that you'll need a reasonably well built, powered, USB hub...and *that* will cost you more that the difference in price between the Model A ($25) and the Model B ($35).

On the OS issue...

The original intent was to use Fedora Remix. That wasn't ready enough as the boards started shipping. Since Debian Squeeze was in better shape, that became the initial favored version.

Since then, the Raspbian release has been developed and it's based on Debian Wheezy--and is the current preferred OS.

If I am not mistaken, Ubuntu is supposed to be a "friendlier" version of Debian. Thus, much of what you've been reading is pertinent to Raspbian.

How much you need to worry about differences between the various releases will depend on how deeply you plan to get into the OS. If all you're going to do is write applications and use existing applications, then--by and large--the differences won't matter to you.

It'd be like worrying that you're learning about Windows 98 when you may find yourself using Windows 98SE. Yeah...they're different, but for almost all everyday uses, they're identical.

[widelord]

I've been using Ubuntu for a number of years now to run a simple media server at home and have found very little difference when using the RPi.

[Jim JKla]

Build yourself an Ubuntu Desktop install disk using a downloaded iso image and install it into a subdirctory of your windows that will automatically install as a dual boot.

That will allow you to get your head around stuff like python.

For that matter you can install python in windows.

The idea that you need a decent USB Hub for the Model "A" but not for the Model "B" is a bit of a farce but personally I would recomend the "B" not only does it carry more memory If you have a home router (most people do these days then with the ethernet your on line just by plugging in.

I think you will find the Wheezy image your best bet Debian based and reasonably close to Ubuntu and there's some stuff on the wiki specifically for the Linux noob user.

[Warlaan]

The idea that you need a decent USB Hub for the Model "A" but not for the Model "B" is a bit of a farce but personally I would recomend the "B" not only does it carry more memory If you have a home router (most people do these days then with the ethernet your on line just by plugging in.

Model A will in most cases need a better USB hub because with no Ethernet and just one USB-connection you will find hardly any task that can be fulfilled without a hub.
I also recommend Model B because there is no model A yet...

By the way: http://xkcd.com/859/