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The ideal of Raspberry Pi is to popularize programming and serve the public. It creates a cheap, simple, fun, efficient development platform that can fully unleash creativity, priced at only $35, making it probably the best value Linux computer available. Unleash your imagination and create your creations; everyone should own a Raspberry Pi.
What is Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi (in Chinese, “树莓派”, abbreviated as RPi/RasPi) is a credit card-sized computer running on Linux.
Developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a charity registered in the UK, the original design goal was to provide a computer education platform for children using affordable hardware and open-source software. However, its excellent expandability and ease of development have made it not only a tool for children’s education but also a toy for geeks. Countless creative uses have been developed for the Raspberry Pi, and it is easy for ordinary people to implement.
What Can Raspberry Pi Do
You can install cameras, hydrogen balloons, and sensors on the Raspberry Pi to explore the universe. You can build a private weather station, a smart home control center, or a surveillance system.
If you just want to use it for learning, then connecting a monitor and keyboard/mouse turns it into a Linux computer. You can run all Linux programs, execute your Python scripts, and learn Linux system programming without needing a virtual machine.
You can also choose to connect it to WiFi and use it as a server, deploying your blog, website, or private cloud. Gaming consoles, robots, and 3D printers are also easily manageable. Aside from not being edible, it can do so much more.
Types of Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi is the best-selling mini single-board computer globally, with the following versions released:
| Release Date | Model Version |
|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Raspberry Pi Model B |
| 2014-07 | Raspberry Pi Model B+ |
| 2014-11 | Raspberry Pi Model A+ |
| 2015-02 | Raspberry Pi 2 Model B |
| 2015-11 | Raspberry Pi Zero |
| 2016-02 | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
| 2017-02 | Raspberry Pi Zero W |
| 2018-03 | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ |
The Raspberry Pi continues to improve in hardware performance while maintaining the same price, offering great value for money. Its software and hardware compatibility is excellent, allowing programs developed on the 3B to run on the Zero with minimal modifications.
How many Raspberry Pis do you own in this family photo?
Popularizing programming and serving the public. The power of open-source isn’t just about enjoying others’ achievements for free; it’s about harnessing the collective strength of the world. This power is also a key reason for the rise of Raspberry Pi. Open-source transforms DIY (Do it yourself) into DIT (Do it together), giving Raspberry Pi limitless possibilities.
