27 Feb
2013
27 Feb
'13
1:55 p.m.
As I have said
several times, if you want to learn how a computer really
works, buy a non-working Unibus PDP11 (nto an 11/24, 11/84, 11/94, etc
,one of the TTL-baed ones), a PDP8/e or an HP9830 and learn to fix it. By
the time it's working you will know just how a CPU executes instructions.
If you are prepeared to use a microprocessor, then get a BBC micro. I've
yet to se a better educational machine. Seriously.
But I do wonder jhsut who the Rpi is aimed at. Given that you need a PC
and its peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor) to use the Rpi, I wonder
if it wouldn't be simpler jsut to install a free C compiler on said PC,
at least to learn programming.
I think that for the vast majority of modern households, any of your
3 alternatives would be much more expensive, not to mention disruptive,
than simply dressing out a Raspberry Pi system.
Most households run Windows. Yes, there exist free compilers for
Windows but not a lot of parents understand or are willing to risk that
sort of activity on their primary business/communication center. And
rightly so. So just throwing a free compiler on a PC will likely
require the purchase of said PC.
Sure, but... If you use the Rpi in the recommended way, you download an
OS image from the internet and write it ot an SD card. The tool you need
to do that does not come natively with Windows, you have to install it.
And whther j-random-parent relaises it or not, it's a lot mroe dangerous
to the itnegrity of the PC than a compiler.
Did you price any BBC Micros lately? Or PDP11 systems, for that
Last time I looked, BBC micros were essentially free. A nice syutem is
comparable in price ot an Rpi.
matter? How about shipping costs? Not to mention the
fact that the
common household would need to purchase some kind of serial terminal, or
A BBC micro does not require a serial termianl. It needs a composte
monitor or TV set An HP9830 needs nothing other htan a mains lead (OK,
that is probably the most expensive machien to get off my list). Yes, a
PDP8 opr PDP11 needs a serial terminal but getting soemthing that wil
lact like one is probalby chepaer than findign the bits to make an Rpi useufl
at the least a good USB-serial adapter for use with a
PC-based terminal
emulator. Bear in mind also that in most countries, cubic footage is a
very limited resource...
Finally, most households already own as spares all or most of the
peripherals required by the Rpi. If not, "old" USB keyboards and mice
are very nearly free for the taking.
I understood there were 'issues' with some USB devies -- even keyboards
-- on the Rpi. Nothing like trying to learn on a mahcine if you don't
knwo it;'s working properly...
My take on the Raspberry Pi is that it offers EXACTLY what it claims
to offer. A cheap, accessible ENTRY POINT into programming and/or
hardware hacking. Incidentally, it can also serve nicely as a lower-end
Programming I will grant you, although $deity help you to figure it out
form the recoemended documetntion/. Hardware hacking, no way....
general-purpose modern** computer.
**where by "modern" I mean there's no need nor desire for FDC, RS232,
VGA, stepped instructions, etc.
Actually the Rpi has a serial port as standard, you jsut need to buffer
it to RS232 levels. It will also work with USB floppy drives.
-tony