{"id":6843,"date":"2020-09-15T21:15:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T01:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alt-fw.org\/public\/?p=6843"},"modified":"2020-09-15T22:55:17","modified_gmt":"2020-09-16T02:55:17","slug":"building-the-community-computer-lab-file-and-web-server","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alt-fw.org\/public\/?p=6843","title":{"rendered":"Building the Community Computer Lab \u2013 File Server"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Raspberry-Pi<\/a>
The Raspberry Pi Intro https:\/\/youtu.be\/sajBySPeYH0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CAVEAT: The information provided herein is most likely exactly correct, HOWEVER use it at your own risk:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>we assume no risk or liability. Do your own evaluation and make your own choices.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In previous articles we have shared how we decided on the design of our public computer lab, selected and assembled the parts, installed the GNU\/Linux and Microsoft operating systems, and configured the computers for security and some automatic things to make our lab fairly pain free to manage and maintain.<\/p>\n

A large part of this automation is an amazingly inexpensive and easily configured device, the Raspberry Pi computer. We will share how we selected this tiny $35 computer instead of a $750 PC server, and how we made and programmed all the simple but very helpful things that it does to keep our lab looking snazzy, high tech, and mostly sparing us much effort in keeping it all running.<\/p>\n

Selection<\/h2>\n

WikiPedia describes the RPi in this way:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
OLPC in Nepal. For the story see http:\/\/one.laptop.org\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The\u00a0Raspberry Pi<\/b>\u00a0(\/p<\/span>a\u026a<\/span>\/<\/a><\/span><\/span>) is a series of small\u00a0single-board computers<\/a>\u00a0developed in the\u00a0United Kingdom<\/a>\u00a0by the\u00a0Raspberry Pi Foundation<\/a>\u00a0to promote teaching of basic\u00a0computer science<\/a>\u00a0in schools and in\u00a0developing countries<\/a>.[13]<\/a><\/sup>[14]<\/a><\/sup>[15]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The original model became far more popular than anticipated,[16]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0selling outside its\u00a0target market<\/a>\u00a0for uses such as\u00a0robotics<\/a>. It is now widely used even in research projects, such as for weather monitoring[17]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0because of its low cost and portability. It does not include peripherals (such as\u00a0keyboards<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0mice<\/a>) or\u00a0cases<\/a>. However, some accessories have been included in several official and unofficial bundles.[16]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

\"\"
OLPC in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia http:\/\/one.laptop.org\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preparing the way for the RPi was the One Laptop Per Child<\/a> (OLPC) project, which was intended “to enable a $100 laptop, which would enable constructionist learning, would revolutionize education, and would bring the world’s knowledge to all children”. OLPC developed a way to create a very affordable and child-rugged laptop computer so well thought out and constructed that it would remain reliably in service even in remote villages possibly with no Internet and no electricity.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Arduino Uno – a very popular SBC (single board computer) using the ARM chipset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OLPC was deemed a failure by the project team because its goal was a laptop cost of $100 and they did not achieve that: the final cost was a few dollars more, yet the reverberations of the design shattered the $1,500 – $2,000USD retail price then common for laptop and notebook computers. Today we can find notebooks on sale starting for around $350USD, and Chrome Books<\/a> or OLPC notebooks for around $200USD at some retailers. Knowledge is power, and in my opinion OLPC was a success, because it demonstrated that we can do better, and it inspired us to so do.<\/p>\n

The Arduino and The Raspberry Pi (RPi) project came soon after OLPC. The Arduino Project<\/a> started in 2005 and has a price point around $25USD, however it’s use is rather technical, and it is not intended to be powerful enough to serve as a desktop computer but rather as an aid in Performing Arts. In year 2012, a group developed the RPi for use in teaching school students the rudiments of computer programming and (I think) to inspire them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The price point was low for a desktop computer. The Arduino<\/a> does not have an O\/S suitable for non-technical users, while the RPi O\/Ses – there are many – provide a very familiar look and feel from GNU\/Linux to Windows 10.<\/p>\n

Our decision to try the RPi was based upon its long running popularity and technical capacity that\u00a0 intersect with our social goals as a public charity dedicated to improving the life of our community, including our global community . RPi’s are available today from many retailers, starting at about $35USD for the board alone, or more for kits containing the RPi board plus some additional parts needed to actually use it. We purchased a kit assembled by Vilros<\/a>, the Vilros Raspberry Pi 4 Complete Kit with Clear Transparent Fan Cooled Case (4GB)<\/a>, for which we paid $99.99USD\u00a0 at Newegg.com<\/a>. Vilros looks to be a big vendor with many products, but there are many other vendors available. We decided on the RPi 4B with 4GB of RAM.<\/p>\n