Raspberry Pi thread?

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Does anyone else use Raspberry Pis? I've been fiddling with them for 3 years now and they're absolutely great! Or maybe you'd like to learn about them?

I bought a Pi 4 last year. I've tested it, bought various bits to go with it, but not actually used it yet, as I'm too busy messing around with Arduinos at the moment!

I got ravenously hungry reading the title until I opened this thread and saw there was no pie!
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On a more serious note...
I purchased an Arduino with the plan to create a submersible ROV.
I still haven't gotten started with it, but I believe I have all the main parts to do so.
I have to program a PS2 controller to operate the ROV.
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I know... Arduino... but I'm just as interested in the Raspberry Pi.
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Long way around to my question....
Does anyone have experience with both and can say if one is easier for a beginning programmer to work with, than the other?

It's fine. Same form factor and application. I'm hoping to turn mine into an autopilot module for a drone. Right now, I got RetroPie to work for it. Can't wait to get some retro emulations running on it!

Ooh! What RAM size?

4Gb.

I wouldn't say I have experience of both yet, but to me they are quite different devices. Arduinos are an easy way to use microcontrollers, for controlling mechanical devices. A Pi is a computer that can also perform the functions of a microcontroller, while a normal computer is a pretty useless device for controlling mechanical devices.

I think which one is easier to program largely depends on previous experience. I've taught myself enough BASIC, Visual BASIC and PHP over the years to get a computer to do pretty much what I want, in a very amateur way. I'm also using OpenSCAD for 3D CAD, that has its own programming language. I didn't find picking up the Arduino version of C++ to be a problem, even though I was using it to control mechanical devices rather than process data. I've looked briefly at Python, that I'd need to program a Pi, and it's so different to what I'm used to that it will take a lot of effort to learn it, especially when I still need to use C++ for Arduinos.

My main use for Arduinos is for radio control of model railways. I've got a system working, but not installed yet, that will control all the servos, stepper motors, relays, LEDs etc. on the layout, and fixed loco controllers for track powered locos. I'm currently installing my second receiver in a battery powered loco, and I've had the first one running well enough to know it will work. I can use Megas, Unos, Nanos and various expansion boards for controlling the layout, as size doesn't matter, but for locos size is important. I'm currently using Pro Minis in the locos, but the next step will be to program ATtiny chips, as I can make the Rx much smaller. I could use Raspberry Pis for the layout, but couldn't miniaturise it enough to fit in a loco. That's where the Arduino wins, as it's just an easy way to use a microcontroller, but you can also use the microcontroller chip on its own.

I could use a Pi for controlling the layout, and it would give me more memory, and the ability to control large screens, so maybe I'll try that one day. But Pis are very expensive compared to Arduinos. I can buy a lot of Arduinos, or ATtiny chips, for the price of one Pi. One day I'll get a couple of Pi Zeros to try, as they're almost as cheap as Arduinos, but think I'm likely to stick with what I know, unless a Pi would be a real benefit.

I bought my Pi 4 to see if it would make a usable cheap desktop PC, and also because I have ideas about building an Intranet of My Things one day, where controlling sensors and other devices would be useful.

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John, thanks for all you posted!
I also use OpenSCAD for my 3D printing work... love writing in it.
I took classes in AutoCAD back in the 90's, but never did anything further with it. Similar CAD software are nice, but my brain works best with something like OpenSCAD... keep looking for updates and community help.
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I went with Arduino because the DIY ROVs I looked into used it.
Raspberry Pi has always interested me from the coding application.. but I also have trouble sticking with Python lessons online! lol
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Thanks Dr M for your reply also!

Can you install any distro on a Pi?

There's a list of the ones that are available here. I don't think you can install any others, or not without a lot of work.

LOL, with LINUX I know what you mean with a lot of work.

I wonder if OpenSCAD is more autistic friendly than trying to draw with a mouse, which is something I've never really got on with. I got a Technical Drawing O Level 48 years ago, but that involved paper, pencils and stuff like third angle projection, all of which is useless now! OpenSCAD is my first successful attempt at drawing the modern way!

The Python syntax confused me. It's claimed to be simple to learn, but there are no semi-colons at line ends, and indenting is done to make it work, not just to make it human readable. So I gave up for now. I may go back to it one day. The good thing is that the Pi will work with the nRF24L01 transceivers I'm using for my radio control, and Python will handle C structures that I use for transmitting data, so I should be able to mix Arduinos and Pis in my RC system if I want to.

Maybe we need an Arduino thread too!

Apple operating systems are proprietary, so no to that. But Linux and Windows, definitely.

For a while those were difficult to find.

Yeah distrowatch's flavor of the day :p

I'm interested in the Pi, but haven't used one yet.
Even bought one this week (hasn't arrived yet), and several hats. Honestly, though, I think I've decided to send it back, as it may just make more sense for me to attempt to upgrade the laptop I've got than to try to build a pi. Still on the fence about it.
Feeling a little foolish about it all at the moment.
I like that it's possible to physically access their components. Getting into what I've got right now in order to clean or replace the fan feels like doing a few hours of micro surgery.