Any Raspberry pi 'ers out there?

[minimutly]

Some years ago I bought a Rasperry pi, thinking it was the in thing, not really sure why, maybe just to get back to programming/coding again?
Anyway, my grandaughter, who is many times more clever than I, has taken an interest. So I've re-read the book that came with it, and realised why I've never bothered (2017 I bought it) with it - it's boring beyond belief...
So are there any experts out there with pointers to projects to fire her imagination?
Right now it's installing the operating system, has allready connected to the net and downloaded a load of stuff to the sd card.

 

[Ubique]

The best thing I've found to do with one is run pi-hole DNS level ad (and other unwanted carp) blocker https://pi-hole.net/

 

[minimutly]

well that was a quick and painless way to get online- typing this on the Pi, straight in using dudcduckgo...
So what do you use the pie to protect @Ubique ? everything connected to your router?
like a firewall? (Please understand that mostly computer leave me frustrated and cold, born too early see..)

 

[Ubique]

Yep, pretty much - you just substitute the IP address of the pi-hole for that of the external DNS in the router.
It's not a firewall in that it doesn't inspect content, it just filters DNS requests on a yes/no basis, used in conjunction with uBlock Origin it makes web pages a much less intrusive experience...

 

[MysterG]

I have one running as a media server just for music. It's running My media for Alexa and allows playing local content.

I also have one I built into a DIY hand held console for retro gaming.

 

[Dev]

Have a browse of https://www.raspberrypi.org/

There’s code clubs, events, project and kits

Free Coding Games for Kids | Learn to Code | Code Club World

Code Club World helps you make cool stuff while learning to code, with free coding games and activities for kids to explore. Learn Scratch, Python, HTML and CSS.

codeclubworld.org

Has step by step lessons on building your own games using visual code

 

[droopsnoot]

I bought an Arduino kit rather than the Pi, and I also struggled to inspire myself to do something with it until my digital timer stopped working and I thought I'd replicate the functionality in the Arduino. The timer concerned was quite old, but connected to my Hi-Fi and turned it in to a glorified clock radio - multiple timer programmes to have it come on at certain times of the day to wake me up, and loads of other functions that I never used. I found that, as with learning any programming language for me, having an actual project to work on was the best way to learn, rather than just poking around with it. I got most of the code working, but stopped short of actually putting it in the box and using it - I struggled to find a decent display that was as good as the vacuum flourescent display on the old unit, and when I started looking at relays to switch the rest of the kit on I got put off by all the stories of dodgy knock-off versions that'll burn the house down and stopped at that point. I am still considering it for a Speeduino once I've got plenty of time on my hands.

tl;dr - think of a project to do, having a defined goal might focus the mind more.

 

[sako243]

Maybe find a project she might be interested in doing and take it from there?

For example I've got a mate building a photo booth camera and display for our wedding. I'd do it but don't have the time so palmed it off onto one of the groomsmen.

A weather station might be another one, there are quite a few projects that use old monitors behind mirrors to project calendar information etc., in the mirror.

 

[minimutly]

I was hoping that a project might use code and some simple electronics - leds, switches, maybe a transistor switching a relay etc, to actually do something (like turning on a stereo @droopsnoot ).
Thanks for all ideas, keep them coming.

 

[Mart63]

I'm now too lazy to learn any coding. I use mine for retro gaming. Arcade Punks website has loads of stuff for that. You could build a bar top arcade cabinet with the Pi, been meaning to do this for ages. The plans and graphics are also available from Arcade Punks.

 

[RIP]

Some years ago I bought a Rasperry pi, thinking it was the in thing, not really sure why, maybe just to get back to programming/coding again?
Anyway, my grandaughter, who is many times more clever than I, has taken an interest. So I've re-read the book that came with it, and realised why I've never bothered (2017 I bought it) with it - it's boring beyond belief...
So are there any experts out there with pointers to projects to fire her imagination?
Right now it's installing the operating system, has allready connected to the net and downloaded a load of stuff to the sd card.

I've found Arduino more useful than Raspberry Pi.

A Pi is a mini PC, whereas Arduino is just about simple inputs and outputs and executing logic between them.

I'm half way through making an Arduino based driver dashboard for my buggy.

 

[jack-daniels]

Free PDF download of the official MagPi magazines here.

Issues — The MagPi magazine

The back issues of The MagPi. Buy in print or download the digital version for free

magpi.raspberrypi.com

 

[Anguz]

Use my pi for octoprint on my 3d printer...
Done a fair bit with arduino. Not so much with pi

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I used one to make 8 Yamaha DX7s

GitHub - probonopd/MiniDexed: Dexed FM synthesizer similar to 8x DX7 (TX816/TX802) running on a bare metal Raspberry Pi (without a Linux kernel or operating system)

Dexed FM synthesizer similar to 8x DX7 (TX816/TX802) running on a bare metal Raspberry Pi (without a Linux kernel or operating system) - probonopd/MiniDexed

github.com

Haven't looked at the GitHub for a while. Probably should rebuild it.

 

[Domdom]

I used to use RP fro stuff like DNS proxy etc but now I can run all these services on my Synology NAS in Docker so the RP units were all binned.

 

[arther dailey]

and theres me thinking its a bit early for rasberries , expecting a pic of a decent pie ,my preferance is apple and blackberry crumble.

 

[iNf]

How about a cnc pen plotter. There's lot's of arduino ones about using cheap stepper motors and all the software is free. There are some raspberry pi ones but I've no experience with them. Something like this they will also have something they can use (and amaze friends/ relatives). You could do the screwing bits together and she could do the computery stuff?

 

[MattF]

I have one running as a media server just for music. It's running My media for Alexa and allows playing local content.

What's the setup/software for doing that?

 

[MysterG]

What's the setup/software for doing that?

My Media for Amazon Alexa

My Media for Amazon Alexa lets you stream your local music library to your Amazon Alexa device such as the Echo or Dot. Ask Alexa to play your personal album collection or stream your local iTunes library.

www.mymediaalexa.com

Only thing I will say is it costs a yearly subscription and it has been steadily going up, quite a big jump last year, with no apparent ongoing updates or much support.
Not many options to play locally stored music over echo devices though. They all want you to stream stuff.

 

[Ubique]

We use Serviio - it probably can be run on a R-Pi as there's a Linux version, there is a paid-for 'pro' version but we don't need the features so quite happy with the free basic offering.

Home

Serviio is a free media server for Window, Mac and Linux. It enables streaming video, audio and images to your DLNA certified device.

www.serviio.org