Raspberry Pi for Dummies 1st Edition

I reverse engineer circuits from JTAG ports to check on proprietary algorithms, so am tearing apart electronics all day long. When you look at the skyrocketing Raspberry Pi sales stats, about 70% are from folks looking to "build an inexpensive PC" whereas the other 30 are hobbyists with a few pros thrown in to chain with Propeller and other heavy hitters for more advanced applications. A few of us use them to customize testing tools, but that's another topic for another day, and NOT in this book.This book covers ALL the big questions, especially for those just opening the package. It will save you a LOT of money by:1. Showing you how to get the OS working without having to buy pre-packaged cards, which are themselves only downloads from the free sites anyway2. Not having to buy the 12 other books either out or coming out that show you (with varying quality) piece-by-piece what either the hardware, software, assembly, Linux, OS, or other levels do one by one.I'd recommend this to anyone planning to use this as an inexpensive PC, or planning on more advanced hobby work, because after you get all the pins, access, media vs. primary OS, etc. done you can then move on to more advanced, specialized applications from home automation to games, robotics, and much more.Most of the younger, most advanced programmers on the planet (I work with a LOT of them) don't have a clue about some of the older assembly-level memory tricks, etc. and when you're using an SD card instead of a big drive, the discipline is a great eye opener even for old hacks like me. This beast is nearly 500 pages, compared to a lot of "specialty" Pi books at twice the price and 1/3 the page count, and every page is packed with great stuff for beginning and intermediate users. For reference and review, at this price, I'd also recommend it to seasoned old folks too if you really want to maximize your RP skill quickly, and save money re: above.

I bought this book because I was interested in Raspberry Pi. I am also a dummy. Makes sense.But, see, I'm not as dumb as this book thinks I am.There are exactly 6 of the 18 chapters in this book that pertain to the Raspberry Pi. And these are really, really well done. After reading them I felt comfortable with the hardware and how I should be using it. The remaining 12 chapters (the bulk of the book) run the gamut from a Python programming intro to how to use a Linux word processor.This would be great if it were titled "Computing for Dummies". But it isn't.

Have had a computer ever since the Radio Shack TRS 80 came-out. Now on number six. Did some early "BASIC" and DOS programming but as time went on just used off the shelf programs. Now I am retired and the Raspberry PI gives me an opportunity to experiment and have fun while at the same time learn something. After my "PI" arrived I floundered around with it trying to learn from postings on the "net". Got more confused than ever. Sent for the "Dummies" book and after 5 minutes with it, knew it was just what I needed. So clear, and written for a person like me that bought the "PI" and needs a step by step manual to get up and running. This book should come with every "PI" sold!!! Sure, my current laptop and desktop are eons above the "PI" but I purchased that little GEM to learn the basics. Anyone that wishes to start from the ground-up on learning how a computer works should have this book and a "Pi". I can now start using my new "toy" and stop scratching my head over terms used by those posting "how to do it" on the "web" where most assume you are an advanced computer geek and skip the basics. The two Arthurs did a GREAT job!!! Obtain the book and start having fun!!!

If you're like me, you buy Dummies books not because you literally know nothing, but because of the consistency that the brand enforces. Unfortunately, I feel this book is written for people who have never seen linux before and for some reason still want to buy a raspberry pi to use as a regular computer.To be fair, had I read the cover, I would have known that. But I took it on brand faith that the Dummies book for the Raspberry Pi would be well-rounded. Thus, I am disappointed. Here were some of my "what the heck?" moments:1) A whole chapter on html and websites?2) Two chapters on Python and Pygame?3) Chapters on GIMP and LibreOffice?Ok, so Raspberry Pi is a linux machine. Got it. But none of these are really specific to the Raspberry Pi. You can do all this stuff on a Windows machine. It seemed like filler material to me.The chapters at the end on physical computing were better, but instead of starting you with breadboards and LEDs, they have you doing woodworking to build a physical game.I think there are better books out there for almost every skill level.

good book

Dan dieses Buches konnte ich gut abschätzen, wofür der Raspi alles gut sein kann.Es hat mir die Inbetriebnahme meines ersten Raspi sehr beschleunigt, weil alles gut Beschrieben ist.Ich glaube, dass dies auch ein sehr gutes Buch für Leute ist, die bisher noch keine Erfahrung mit Linux-Basierten Betriebssystemen haben.Der Autor hat einen angenehmen Schreibstill und kann damit für die Sache begeistern. - Sehr zu empfehlen.

Ottimo come sempre nello stile della collana "for dummies", fornisce una infarinatura generale sul dispositivo e sulla sua programmazione, compresi alcuni accenni di elettronica. sia chiaro, si tratta di un manuale introduttivo, utile soprattutto a chi è completamente digiuno di programmazione informatica.

Amazing book for those who want to start messing around with the Raspberry Pi and don't know how to even turn it on. It's the most basic guide, if you already know a little about programming or I/O you may want to look for something a little more advanced.

Bien documenté, bien expliqué, complet. On a l'impression d'avoir affaire à de vrais techniciens, dans le genre Bob Pease. Enfin.