novolts
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:47 am

Basic Requirements

Fri Jul 29, 2016 12:04 pm

Good afternoon
1st post
I am a nearly 60 year old with programming skills of 2 year old child.I want to enter what I am sure is the wonderful world of Pi
My question is what do I need to enter the magical world in terms of hardware I would like to learn some basic switching of leds and relays and basic home automation
I have searched the web and have found that there are loads of kits but I thought I would ask the experts 1st
Last question for now will any keyboard and mouse used for a windows based pc be compatible with the Pi
Thanks for taking the time to read this post
novolts

texy
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Forum Moderator
Posts: 5161
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:59 am
Location: Berkshire, England

Re: Basic Requirements

Fri Jul 29, 2016 1:47 pm

Hi and welcome to the world of pi.
The thing is that the experts here will tell you the same a google told you - lots of different answers ;-)
Resistors, switches, LED, relays, motors, I2C chips, etc will all be useful in the learning curve.
Probably best to go with a kit, or online tutorial, but as I say, you'll get lots or answers.

Enjoy,

Texy
Various male/female 40- and 26-way GPIO header for sale here ( IDEAL FOR YOUR PiZero ):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=147682#p971555

boyoh
Posts: 1474
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:30 pm
Location: Selby. North Yorkshire .UK

Re: Basic Requirements

Fri Jul 29, 2016 2:53 pm

Welcome to the Raspberry Pi, you are never to, old to learn.
You will find it a very rewarding hobby,in retirement I'm 85yrs

A electronics starter kit is next on your list , Keep the Pi till later

A power supply 0 /12v 2/3amp will be very handy.
A digital multi meter not expensive , with transistor tester
A breadboard not to small ,, jumper wires
Selection of LEDs and resistors .
A book on Ohms Law.

If you live in the UK, try Maplins Electronics.
Don't get bogged down with to much theorie
At the start , Learn how to use a component at first
Then worrie about the inside later. There are a lot of
Good lads on the forum for help
Regards BoyOh
BoyOh ( Selby, North Yorkshire.UK)
Some Times Right Some Times Wrong

drgeoff
Posts: 10832
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:39 pm

Re: Basic Requirements

Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:03 pm

Keyboard and mouse need to be USB type. PS/2 types are not suitable.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

User avatar
B.Goode
Posts: 10356
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:03 pm
Location: UK

Re: Basic Requirements

Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:54 pm

If you live somewhere where the post and packing will not be too painful, the CamJam EduKits might be worth looking at?

The components are selected to work with the RPi, they come with downloadable worksheets to demonstrate how to use them, are nicely packaged, and at 'pocket money' prices.

http://camjam.me/?page_id=618

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