Library Services Digital Studio, Raspberry Pi
What is it?
Created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the Raspberry Pi is a Linux based, credit card sized computer. Connect it to a TV or monitor, plug in a keyboard and mouse, and the Pi can do many things that a desktop computer can do, such as surf the internet and play music and video. The default desktop operating system, raspios, even comes with an Office suite like Microsoft’s.
They can’t run Windows or MacOS but they can run a large variety of different Linux operating systems (OS), so they are great as an introduction to Linux or as an introduction to programming.
Do I need to know Linux?
Our Pi’s can be borrowed, plugged in, and used as a desktop with very little computing experience.
However, if you want to experiment with Linux or learn programming then it is expected that you would be familiar with the Linux operating system, and how to update and install packages using superuser permissions.
What else would I need to know?
Pi’s don’t have a hard drive, instead they use a micro SD card for the OS and storage. Our Pi’s come with a card loaded with the Linux OS raspios, but if you’d like to experiment with other Linux OSes then you’d need to know about installing them onto micro SD cards with programs like Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager. You can overwrite our card or use your own, in which case you’ll need a micro SD card (32GB maximum size).
Be sure to copy off any files you want before returning the Pi and card, as we reformat them on their return.
So what can I borrow?
Available for 7 day loan we have:
- Raspberry Pi 4 with 4Gb, in a metal case, a power supply, a micro HDMI to HDMI display lead and a micro SD card pre-loaded with the recommended Raspberry Pi OS, raspios
- Rainbow HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) is an expansion board that plugs into the top of the Pi and provides extra functions such as sensors, lights and displays (Pi not included)
To use it you will need…
1. Mouse and keyboard;
2. HMDI capable screen or TV.
IMPORTANT:
When you return the Pi the micro SD card is reformatted so make sure you have a copy of anything that you need before returning it.
Pi Overview
