Introducing Raspberry Pi

While the Raspberry Pi may not be my go-to dessert, my transition from Arduino to Raspberry Pi has been quite the journey. Back in the day, I invested over $200 in Arduino gadgets, creating a setup that would illuminate my study when I entered, and monitor the temperature throughout my expansive 4000 square-foot home.

However, retirement changed everything. Downsizing to a cozy apartment meant I had to part with many of my hobbies. Most of my interests took a backseat, with some fading away entirely. A friend of mine continues to utilize his Arduinos to keep tabs on his garage door, receiving notifications and images on his phone when it opens or closes.

Then came the day my friend introduced me to the Raspberry Pi. A few weeks later, I found myself purchasing one too. Soon after, I decided to donate my Arduino collection to a friend's son. Perhaps I was a little mischievous!

Transitioning to the Raspberry Pi 3

Retirement allowed for more leisure and travel, leading me to acquire a travel trailer for adventures. For about a year, I attempted to use the Pi 3 as a laptop alternative while on the road. Unfortunately, I often reverted to my laptop or tablet due to the Pi 3's sluggish performance.

Fast forward to 2023, after hearing rave reviews about the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 5, I decided to make the switch. For just over $100, I received a package that included a cooling fan, power converter, and protective case. It arrived in early 2024, brightening my post-holiday blues. As I write this, the Pi 5 has become my new companion, much to my laptop's chagrin.

The first video, "Every Developer Needs a Raspberry Pi," provides insights into how this versatile device can enhance your programming experience.

Instrumentation Engineering: A New Challenge

Having worked as an Instrumentation Engineer for a medical device company, I was eager to continue my passion with the Raspberry Pi. I began acquiring various add-ons to transform my Pi into a data acquisition and control system.

One of my purchases was the DAQC2plate, a multifunctional board that offers a range of features. However, I fell into the classic trap of not defining my system requirements before diving into development. I simply explored what I could measure and searched for compatible components.

This board boasts eight analog inputs, eight digital inputs, and a host of other functionalities, including PWM outputs and a frequency counter.

In my eagerness to expand my control capabilities, I also acquired the RELAYplate, enabling me to manage multiple 120 VAC devices from the Pi 5. Just wait until you see my holiday lights this year!

Life in the Mountains and Software Hurdles

After relocating to a mountain cabin, my Raspberry Pi components ended up in a box marked "Stuff from study." I eventually revived them when I purchased an Airstream, but they languished for quite a while.

Of course, the key to utilizing these boards lies in software. Back in the day, I wrote programs in C and Fortran, but I haven't kept pace with modern programming languages. Linux has made a comeback, and the Raspberry Pi 5 is firmly entrenched in the Linux ecosystem.

Getting Acquainted with Python

Interestingly, many applications for the Pi plates are written in Python—a language I have yet to explore. Although I've dabbled in graphical programming languages like LabVIEW, I’m determined to familiarize myself with Python.

So, how much can a 73-year-old manage to learn? Well, I plan to dive into Python soon. Wish me luck!

The second video, "Raspberry Pi Linux LESSON 23: How to Change File Permissions," is an excellent resource for those looking to master file permissions on their Raspberry Pi.